Coronavirus: CT scanners fitted in shipping containers delivered to UAE hospitals

The units can pick up signs of pneumonia, the most serious symptom of Covid-19

Dubai Mounted Police officers, in Al Aweer, patrol residential and commercial areas from 6pm to 6am to ensure residents are staying safe indoors during Covid-19 lockdown. Reem Mohammed / The National

Downtown Abu Dhabi shot from Al Reem Island. Victor Besa / The National

The Dubai Mounted Police department was established in 1976 with seven horses, five riders and four horse groomers. Today it has more than 130 Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, 75 riders and 45 groomers. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers patrol the streets from 6pm to 6am. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers line-up for a briefing before saddling up the horses. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers, in Al Aweer. Reem Mohammed / The National

A delivery van crosses back to downtown Abu Dhabi from Al Maryah Island on a hazy day. Victor Besa / The National

Police efforts at labour camps to combat the spread of Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

The Carpet Souk at the Zayed Port area. Carpet salesmen waiting for customers. Victor Besa / The National

The Carpet Souk at the Zayed Port area. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan date sales at the Abu Dhabi Dates market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters wait for their bus along Airport Road. Victor Besa / The National

View of the quiet street in International City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the empty road going towards Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the tunnel near the Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain have received temporary CT scanning units to help detect cases of coronavirus.

Diagnostic equipment fitted inside shipping containers has been delivered to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Al Ain Hospital to begin testing for viral pneumonia, the deadly symptom linked with Covid-19.

A CT scan, or computed tomography, is a combination of x-ray images which help doctors come to a more accurate diagnosis of a patient’s condition and can detect signs of pneumonia.

The self-contained units are separate to the main hospital facility, allowing for isolation from the main treatment areas to reduce risk of infection.

The vital equipment has been delivered as part of a project led by GE Healthcare.

The scanners can be used to test patients away from medical facilities - such as in hospital car parks - to minimise exposure to fellow patients and staff.

A total of four ‘CT in a Container’ units were specially built and fully assembled in the UAE.

Two additional units at the special Covid-19 screening centre in Al Dhafra and Emirates Humanitarian City are expected to be operational within weeks.

Each is fully self-contained and fitted with a filtration system that keeps out 90 per cent of potential contaminants.

The units allow physicians to complete patient lung screenings in under a minute and can serve more than 100 visitors a day.

It takes just five minutes to decontaminate the room between patients.