![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RCFF53SFI5ZJGCBU4OKAYUMUBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ec0129eaa554f7d81fe3f7726f5fe51cf5549f508553189f7a4969a6844617a&width=400&height=225)
The facility was set up to allow commuters who require a negative Covid-19 test to enter Abu Dhabi. Those with negative results can continue their journey. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNOM5P446UCA6VNICUAXRFBH4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=939c6955cfb70bb599f401c18a3757a2fb87a219941a2c9c4bcccedb78b6541f&width=400&height=225)
Nearly 6,000 people are tested at the Ghantoot laser centre every day. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4L6Y36CQY4TAFVY6WGOH7WNPSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=054eb21854c6c065185897e2ab44ed73a5bd5b9c10d76f294588a845fb35d093&width=400&height=225)
Medics at the Ghantoot testing centre on the border between Dubai and Abu Dhabi use a laser technique to scan a blood sample for signs of surging red blood cells, which is an early sign the body is fighting off a virus. Antonie Robertson / The National
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A medic testing a commuter for Covid-19. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/55NDPR53BM3UL747YFWAEJ53JA.jpg?smart=true&auth=345a2a2e03c8c7973c54bb25ab96dfbca6c7a26f4f48a7d435bec0b440248e91&width=400&height=225)
The results of the Diffractive Phase Interferometry test, or DPI, which detects viral presence in the blood, including Covid-19, are received in minutes via a text message. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJBKWDQVRX2CMJOLDF2U6SBONE.jpg?smart=true&auth=7544a8800ff4bbaece3836cc3f16dff61fbee9281d65ac6071e7fc2dce8f69cc&width=400&height=225)
The test costs Dh50 and is very quick compared with the PCR test that can take time to get a result. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RCFF53SFI5ZJGCBU4OKAYUMUBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ec0129eaa554f7d81fe3f7726f5fe51cf5549f508553189f7a4969a6844617a&width=400&height=225)
The facility was set up to allow commuters who require a negative Covid-19 test to enter Abu Dhabi. Those with negative results can continue their journey. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNOM5P446UCA6VNICUAXRFBH4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=939c6955cfb70bb599f401c18a3757a2fb87a219941a2c9c4bcccedb78b6541f&width=400&height=225)
Nearly 6,000 people are tested at the Ghantoot laser centre every day. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4L6Y36CQY4TAFVY6WGOH7WNPSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=054eb21854c6c065185897e2ab44ed73a5bd5b9c10d76f294588a845fb35d093&width=400&height=225)
Medics at the Ghantoot testing centre on the border between Dubai and Abu Dhabi use a laser technique to scan a blood sample for signs of surging red blood cells, which is an early sign the body is fighting off a virus. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XSEZPL7UYDEWSV7P2SCLJOIHAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=9c8af9e6adf976ff45788ccb2931a5b6e4aa7127106eb35f1e9ca67956c666c4&width=400&height=225)
A medic testing a commuter for Covid-19. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/55NDPR53BM3UL747YFWAEJ53JA.jpg?smart=true&auth=345a2a2e03c8c7973c54bb25ab96dfbca6c7a26f4f48a7d435bec0b440248e91&width=400&height=225)
The results of the Diffractive Phase Interferometry test, or DPI, which detects viral presence in the blood, including Covid-19, are received in minutes via a text message. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJBKWDQVRX2CMJOLDF2U6SBONE.jpg?smart=true&auth=7544a8800ff4bbaece3836cc3f16dff61fbee9281d65ac6071e7fc2dce8f69cc&width=400&height=225)
The test costs Dh50 and is very quick compared with the PCR test that can take time to get a result. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RCFF53SFI5ZJGCBU4OKAYUMUBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5ec0129eaa554f7d81fe3f7726f5fe51cf5549f508553189f7a4969a6844617a&width=400&height=225)
The facility was set up to allow commuters who require a negative Covid-19 test to enter Abu Dhabi. Those with negative results can continue their journey. Antonie Robertson / The National
False negatives and positives: how accurate are PCR tests for Covid-19?
Researchers report false negative results of between 2 per cent and 29 per cent for PCR tests
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
19 November, 2020
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