Flu cases in UAE down thanks to Covid safety measures Nandini Sircar/Dubai Photo: Alamy The incidence of several common seasonal diseases is unusually low this year. Aggressive precautionary measures to tame the unprecedented novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have lessened influenza and other respiratory diseases that usually report a surge around this time of the year, according to doctors in the UAE. Though the nation is consistently reporting over 1,000 Covid-19 cases for more than eight weeks, the incidence of several common seasonal diseases is unusually low this year. Doctors explain responses intended to fight the Covid-19 pandemic such as wearing a mask, adhering to social distancing norms, working and studying from home have had a significant impact on other common respiratory illnesses.