Combating coronavirus: Abu Dhabi flattens Covid-19 curve with mass testing, early detection

Abu Dhabi - So far more than 388,000 residents have been tested as part of the expanded National Screening Programme.

Mass testing means early detection of the Covid-19 infection, an aspect which has been successfully followed with positive results, medical experts said after local authorities extended the travel ban in Abu Dhabi.

Half a month of movement restrictions on entering and exiting the Capital and travelling between its regions has seen the health authorities scale up screenings in the industrial area of Mussafah, Al Ain and other high-density areas. And so far more than 388,000 residents have been tested as part of the expanded National Screening Programme.

The entire exercise has had a direct affect on the Covid-19 national stats as the number of recoveries has more than doubled on many occasions compared to new cases. And the trend is gaining momentum.

If on June 5, there were 624 new cases and 765 recoveries, after another round of travel ban and testing, it's 346 cases and 732 recoveries on June 16.

Only way to contain spread

Dr Nabil Debouni, Group Medical Director, VPS Healthcare, said mass testing and early detection are two aspects which have led to more number of recoveries.

"The number of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 is coming down due to positive impact of mass testing and number of recoveries is up because they are detected early before their health situation deteriorates. Mass testing and early detection go together. Also health authorities collaborated with private sector. VPS Healthcare has easily screened a larger chunk of people who have been tested in Abu Dhabi. We are part of the process from the very beginning," said Debouni, who is the in-charge of Al Masoud testing centre in Mussafah with the capacity to test 3,500 people daily.

Burjeel Medical City, a multi-speciality hospital and research centre, has set up a RT-PCR testing laboratory where samples are tested from the beginning.

Dr Debouni stressed mass testing is important as a 'good proportion' of patients showed no symptoms at all.

"Almost 80 per cent of Covid-19 positive patients have no symptoms. They go around the community contaminating others. So mass testing helps to pick these people and prevent them from spreading infection."

Campaign continues

Apart from the massive screening facilities there are many drive-through centres operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services (Seha) in the emirate. Also, authorities continue block by block sanitisation and testing programme in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Residents are all praise for the united effort.

"My testing happened at night. The entire process took place within 30 minutes. You can see authorities out on streets continuing sanitisation drive. We feel safe and secure when we see this. We have full faith in Abu Dhabi government to beat this pandemic," Moinuddin Mohammed, a worker from Mussafah, said.

Deepak J., who was tested positive and underwent treatment, urged everyone to avail free testing happening in Mussafah.

"We should take this opportunity to test. We may not have any symptoms but yet test positive. So the wise thing is to test and support government's effort to contain the spread of virus," Deepak added.

• Abu Dhabi