The Department of Health (DoH) has approved three new Covid-19 tests in the capital city of Abu Dhabi. The tests produce results within 20 minutes to an hour. DoH has now approved the new tests to be used in urgent care centres and emergency departments.
The New Tests Provide Results Within An Hour
The new tests provide faster results and will efficiently contribute to physicians’ decision-making when it comes to providing suitable treatment for patients. The three new approved tests include the antigen test, the RT-LAMP test and the saliva test.
The antigen test detects the antibodies that are produced by COVID-19 in the patient’s body via a nasal swab sample, which are labelled with a dye that can be measured and thus determine whether there is an infection within 20 minutes.
The RT-LAMP genetic test is distinguished by its ability to detect COVID-19 cases quickly compared to the PCR test. The test is conducted through a nasal swab collection to be placed under equal-tempered conditions. That will provide results within an hour. The saliva test can be used for children in healthcare facilities if a nose swab is not possible. The three new tests will be used along with regular PCR tests and DPI tests.
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Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH, said, “At DoH, we have dedicated our efforts to enabling Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector to continue providing world-class quality and safe emergency services. To that end, we have approved a new set of diagnostic tests of COVID-19 that are based on global updates and the latest scientific developments in the detection of the COVID-19 virus to be used in emergency departments across the emirate.”
The PCR test is currently being provided in 24 healthcare centres and laboratories as well as in eight drive thru test centres across the emirate. The new set of tests will be provided in emergency departments and urgent care centres to accelerate the testing and results process in order to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 .
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Residents Entering Abu Dhabi Must Take Covid-19 Test On 4th & 8th Day
As per update on 17 January, residents and citizens entering the emirate must produce a negative PCR/DPI test result taken 48 hours before entry. In addition, a PCR test will be taken on day four and day eight of entry.
The procedures apply to all UAE residents, except those vaccinated in the national vaccination programmes. Volunteers in Phase III vaccine clinical trials whose status is active (letter ‘E’ or gold star) on the Alhosn app are also exempt from the new rule.
Initially, travellers were required to take a second PCR test on the sixth day of their visit- however, that rule has changed too. Now, travellers will have to take a second test on day four and a third test on day eight in the emirate. The authorities are quite serious about these tests and have announced that people who fail to take the test on the fourth and eight days will be liable for fines. The new procedures are effective from Sunday, January 17.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated procedures to enter Abu Dhabi from within the country, effective from Sunday, 17 January, as part of the proactive efforts and precautionary measures to contain and eliminate the spread of Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/MIkfqUEDZg
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) January 16, 2021
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Besides this, the latest guidelines also state that all residents will have to install Al Hosn mobile app to easily show test results and help monitor the spread of COVID-19. For the measures, they have introduced to enhance preventative measures for the early detection of COVID-19.
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Volunteers in the covid-19 vaccine trials are exempt from these regulations. While entering the capital, the volunteers will have to use the emergency vehicle lanes when entering Abu Dhabi.