Coronavirus: Dubai opens new infectious diseases centre

The centre, with 88 dedicated Covid-19 rooms, will be run by staff from Rashid Hospital

Dubai Health Authority officials visited a new infectious diseases centre near Jebel Ali. Covid-19 patients are being treated at the facility. DHA
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Patients infected with the coronavirus are among the first to be treated at a new infectious disease centre in Dubai Industrial City.

The three-storey centre has 88 rooms and the capacity to expand to 170 rooms should the need arise.

Most private hospitals in the emirate have been declared free of Covid-19, with new patients now admitted to government hospitals for treatment.

Humaid Al Qutami, director general of Dubai Health Authority, said staff at the centre were fully prepared to take on the challenge of Covid-19.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the DHA has been able to harness all its capabilities to meet this challenge,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we have also worked to increase the capacity of medical facilities in anticipation of any developments.”

On Tuesday, the UAE reported 1,390 new cases of the virus, 1,708 recoveries and two deaths.

The new centre, near Jebel Ali, will expand and eventually become an advanced hub for epidemiological research and studies.

“This centre represents an important addition to the high-quality healthcare services the authority has provided, which has significantly helped in improving the recovery rate of Covid-19,” Mr Al Qutami said.

“In the future, it will be an international centre specialised in treating communicable diseases, and at the same time it will be a highly advanced laboratory for radiology and diagnostic tests.”

Inside the centre, specialist clinics will deliver frontline care. Patients and staff will also have access to a pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and follow-up services.

Officials said the centre was equipped with the latest critical care equipment and technology to support daily operations, which will be managed by existing staff from Rashid Hospital.