Abu Dhabi's positive Covid-19 test rate falls to just 0.2%

Widespread testing regime credited with reducing infections

Perla Mansour, 4, takes a saliva test before the start of the new school term. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

Mohammed Al Suwaidi gets a swab test in Abu Dhabi as part of the new back-to-school rules.

Many parents have taken their children to Biogenix Labs in Masdar City to take PCR or saliva tests.

The Mansour family from Egypt attended a clinic in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to get their oldest child tested for Covid-19 before returning to school next week.

Health workers keep the mood cheery for young pupils getting tested.

Special queues have been sectioned off at clinics across Abu Dhabi for school pupils who need to get tested.

Khalifa Al Nahdi, 4, queues for a test.

Pupils will need to show a negative nasal PCR or saliva test result taken within 96 hours before they can return to in-person classes next week.

Health workers hold up some of the many samples taken from school pupils.

A young Abu Dhabi resident gives a saliva sample.

Mohammed Al Bisher, 6, takes a saliva test.

More than a million pupils will return to school in the UAE after the summer break.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic outside Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Parents take their children to Biogenix Labs in Masdar City to take PCR tests.

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Just 0.2 per cent of people tested for coronavirus in Abu Dhabi are found to be positive, figures show.

The Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said the low rate was achieved because of the emirate's intensive testing regime.

A 'green pass' system that requires people to show they are clear of coronavirus to enter many public places is among the most recent requirements.

"Abu Dhabi emirate’s strategic measures include intensified vaccination campaigns aimed at all community members; targeted campaigns for vulnerable categories; continuous pro-active screening campaigns for all community members; and a comprehensive epidemiological tracing system for positive cases and those in contact," Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said on Monday.

"The committee thanks the public for their continuous support and adherence to precautionary and preventive measures and urges ongoing commitment to maintain exemplary response efforts and achieve a full and sustainable recovery."

Free PCR and saliva testing for pupils has been in place since schools in Abu Dhabi returned two weeks ago, while many companies carry out tests for employees, often every week.

The cost of screening was recently cut to Dh50 in many centres nationwide, with some exemptions, ensuring it is affordable for all.

Nationwide, the UAE now reports more than 300,000 tests on most days, in a country of just under 10 million, and the number of new daily cases has remained below 1,000 for more than two weeks.

On Monday, the UAE reported 632 Covid-19 cases, following an additional 314,018 tests.

Daily infection rates hit a peak of nearly 4,000 in February but have dropped consistently since then and remained below 1,000 for 21 days in a row.

The latest caseload brought the UAE's overall tally to 729,518.

Two new deaths were reported in the 24-hour reporting period, raising the death toll to 2,064.

There were 785 recoveries, bringing the number of patients who beat the virus to 720,653.

There are currently 6,801 active cases in the Emirates.

More than 78.6 million tests have been conducted since the outbreak began.