Combating coronavirus: Abu Dhabi adopts smart bands to trace patients in self-isolation

Smartwatches are being used to monitor and track Covid-19 patients in Abu Dhabi under self-quarantine at homes.

The electronic wristband device, launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH), serves as a tracing and monitoring tool.

Asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms with no risk factors and don't require to be hospitalised will use the device, which is linked to Covid-19 testing and tracing app, AlHosn.

The band is fixed on the arms of Covid-19 patients who have been allowed by health authorities to self-isolate themselves. Patients between the ages of 18 and 59 and have met a set of criteria, can be allowed by doctors to self-quarantine at home. The patient must meet the DoT and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre Home Isolation Programme standards and regulations, according to authorities.

Smartwatches are fixed on the Covid-19 patients who visit the Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). The new centre, managed by ambulatory healthcare services of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), serves those with a positive Covid-19 test result. These patients undergo an initial assessment at the centre and receive further guidance on how to deal with the virus.

Some of them are given home isolation instructions and guidelines and the smart monitoring watch is tied to their arms for tracking and monitoring purposes, along with the DoH Stay Home app. It can only be removed after two Covid-19 tests produce negative results.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com 

Ismail Sebugwaawo

A professional journalist originating from Kampala, Uganda, Ismail is a happy father with strong attachment to family and great values for humanity. He has practiced journalism in UAE for the past 13 years, covering the country's parliament (FNC) and crimes, including Abu Dhabi Police, public prosecution and courts. He also reports about important issues in education, public health and the environment, with a keen interest in human interest stories. When out of reporting duties, he serves the Ugandan community in Abu Dhabi as he wants to see his countrymen happy. Exercising and reading are part of his free time.