UAE daily Covid-19 cases remain below 1,000 for the 18th consecutive day

744 new Covid-19 infections were recorded on Friday

Lab staff working in the sample preparation room at Dubai Airport (DXB). All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Close to Terminal 2, the laboratory is a dedicated centre for around-the-clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers at DXB.

Lab staff working in Dubai Airport's in-house lab for processing Covid-19 PCR tests.

One of the world’s busiest airports now has one of the world’s biggest in-house Covid-19 testing laboratories.

The laboratory reduces waiting times for passengers arriving by making sure their PCR test results are delivered in only four to six hours.

Before the lab opened in June, the passengers’ samples were collected from the airport every 12 hours.

Now samples are collected every 30 minutes and transported to the in-house facility operated by Pure Health.

Carlo Kaabar, medical director of Mohap Laboratories, at Dubai Airport's in-house PCR lab.

After a batch of samples is received, the staff first check their integrity and verify the passengers’ details using barcodes.

Dubai Airport's in-house lab for processing Covid-19 PCR tests.

If passengers test positive, they need to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

Lab staff scanning the barcode of a Covid-19 PCR sample.

Follow the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic here

The UAE recorded 744 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, its lowest daily tally for one year.

Case numbers have now remained below 1,000 for 18 consecutive days.

Infection rates have steadily declined during the summer months, having peaked at close to 4,000 a day in early February.

The last time daily infections were lower was on September 8, 2020, when 644 positive tests were reported.

The Ministry of Health conducted 268,878 tests over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to over 77.6 million.

Three people died due to complications, bringing the total to 2,060, and 961 people recovered.

The falling cases comes as the Dubai gears up to host Expo 2020 Dubai, from October 1 until March 31.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid hosted a meeting with the Supreme Committee for Disaster and Crisis Management in Dubai on Thursday to discuss the country's readiness for the World's Fair.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai praised the team responsible for the safety of the event - which also managed the emirate’s response to the pandemic - and said "they were up to the responsibility in the past period".

Meanwhile, the UAE announced it will allow the return of all those with a valid residence visa from September 12, provided they have a vaccine recognised by the World Health Organisation.

The move includes those coming from countries previously on a suspension list, and those who stayed abroad for over six months.

Previously the UAE only recognised vaccines administered in the Emirates.

The decision covers passengers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Inside Dubai airport’s new Covid-19 testing laboratory for passengers