Up to 7,100 people can be tested every day with the new drive-through Covid-19 testing facilities spread across the UAE, according to authorities. A total of 14 new drive-through testing facilities are now operational, said the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA). The country now has the capacity to conduct 10,000 tests or more daily as the figure from the drive-through facilities exclude the tests being conducted at government hospitals and out-patients clinics across the UAE. SEHA opened up the facilities following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for protecting the health, safety and well-being of the UAE community, and curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus. All the drive-through centres have been equipped with advanced testing systems, techniques and globally-accredited healthcare teams. Dr Hessa Al Dhafir, manager of the Al Bahia drive-through testing centre - one of the newly opened up facility - told Khaleej Times that all the drive-through testing centres were opened on Thursday and have started conducting tests. "At Al Bahia testing centre, we conducted 800 tests on the first day. These new testing facilities are quick and unique. They provide for the early diagnosis of people infected with the virus and to quickly close down their contact circles for quarantine," she said. "Since the opening up of the new facilities, more cases of Covid-19 have been detected and the patients were quarantined and receiving treatment. Conducting more tests help identify the infected persons and can help in containing the virus and preventing its spread in the country," she added. The testing process takes between three to five minutes from registration using the Emirates ID to screening where the nurse takes the person's nose swab. The person will then leave without any direct exposure or contact with others, including health workers. The examination process begins by booking an appointment in advance by calling the 8001717 Estijaba centre, or through the SEHA smart application, for an initial assessment. Priority testing is given to those with symptoms, senior citizens, pregnant women and those who suffer from chronic diseases. Al Dhafir has however advised those with severe Covid-19 symptoms to go directly to SEHA's hospitals and outpatient clinics that conduct tests and also see physicians. Precautionary examinations cost Dh370, and payment will be done electronically through the SEHA application. Spread across the country Seven drive-through testing centres have been opened in Abu Dhabi, of which three are located in Abu Dhabi City, Al Wathba and Al Bahia - each having the capacity to conduct 600 tests daily. The Abu Dhabi centres are open between 8am to 8pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Two centres opened in Al Ain are located in the Asharj and Al Hili areas. Each centre is capable of accommodating up to 600 individual bookings. Other two centres opened in Ghayathi, and near the Madinat Zayed Council in Al Dhafra and are operational from Saturday to Thursday 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm and are capable of testing up to 800 people a day. In Dubai, there are two facilities with one located at Port Rashid and another in Al Khawaneej. One centre has been opened in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Leaders inaugurate facilities His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated the Ras Al Khaimah drive-through Covid-19 national screening centre on Sunday, which is located next to the Eid prayer ground in Khuzam area. In Fujairah, Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, on Sunday morning inaugurated the first drive-through Covid-19 screening centre in the emirate. Each of these seven centres outside Abu Dhabi are equipped to test 500 people a day, and are open from Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm.
Steps for testing coronavirus at the facility
Step 1 >Book an appointment through Estijaba 8001717. >Participate in a pre-assessment screening, to answer questions related to their condition. >Following the pre-screening, people who are considered to have contracted the virus and those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, pregnant women or people with chronic diseases will be prioritised. The test is free for these individuals. >For the wider community who prefer to do the examination for reassurance only, the testing procedure will cost Dh370. Step 2 >As the patient reaches the drive-through testing centre, he/she will receive a welcome message from SEHA, which is broadcast via the in-car radio. Patients have to keep their ID cards ready and windows closed. >At the registration point, SEHA employees will provide the patient medical steriliser for their hands. >He/she will insert Emirates ID into the e-reader for registration, before proceeding to the next point. >After registration, the patient will have to lower their car window for a nose swab test. The test takes about five minutes. >On completion of the test, the patients leave and return to their homes where they are advised to maintain self-isolation until they receive their test, and are cleared of contracting the Covid-19 virus. Step 3 >Patients will receive their results within six hours through SMS and on the SEHA smartphone app. ismail@khaleejtimes.com
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