PCR result waiting times to shorten as Dubai and Abu Dhabi laboratories increase capacity

People in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have had to wait up to 72 hours for their results in recent days

A man taking a PCR test at the centre in Mina Rashed. Pawan Singh / The National

Long queues at VPS Healthcare testing centre. Pawan Singh / The National

Cars queue up at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. There has been a huge increase in the number of people getting tested for the coronavirus as schools opened for the second term and new weekly testing rules for government employees in Abu Dhabi came into force. Antonie Robertson / The National

Many people are also getting tested before travelling overseas. A negative test prior to departure is required for most destinations. Pawan Singh / The National

The average waiting time was two hours at the MenaLabs Covid-19 drive-through testing centre on Monday. Antonie Robertson / The National

Some testing centres reported a huge rush and that demand for PCR tests had trebled in recent days. Antonie Robertson / The National

Long queues at testing centres and clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National

To enter Abu Dhabi, vaccinated people must show Al Hosn green pass and those who are not must present a negative PCR test taken less than 96 hours prior to crossing the border. Antonie Robertson / The National

Queues at the Seha Covid-19 drive-through testing centre at Mina Rashed in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Queues outside Parkview Hospital Covid-19 testing facility in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Rapid tests are becoming more popular for those needing a quick turnaround to travel or attend events that require proof of negative status. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Covid-19 case numbers in the UAE rose steadily through December as Omicron infections surged globally. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Related: Costly rapid PCR tests on offer amid demand and delayed results

Clinics in Abu Dhabi and Dubai said waiting times for PCR results should ease in the coming days.

Currently results could take up to three days, more than 48 hours longer than normal.

The delay was because of increased demand fuelled by more travel, intensified testing requirements and a rising number of cases.

Demand remains high as employers ask people to get tested before returning to offices. On Wednesday, as the government reported 2,708 new cases, it said 469,028 were tested in just 24 hours.

“There was a short-term, acute increase in test loads on the 2nd and 3rd as many tourists were returning after the New Year celebration and because of school opening on the 3rd,” said Dr Naveen Kumar Tiwari, specialist in clinical pathology at NMC Royal Hospital, Dubai Investments Park.

“Thereafter, the situation has totally stabilised as the labs have now increased their capacity and there is also a slight drop in the test requests.

“Presently, the requirement of the test has been reduced by 15-20 per cent and reporting has changed back again to 12-24 hours.”

Across Burjeel's network, customers would normally receive their results in less than a day, but the company assures them the increased wait is still less than two days.

The situation has led some people to use expensive home testing services that promise fast results for as much as Dh500.

“Earlier, we were able to release results even in 12 hours. However, with the current surge in testing, turnaround time has increased,” said Dr Seema Oommen, the head of Burjeel Medical City's Covid lab.

“But by increasing our capacities and by sticking to the tier system placed by the authorities, we are still able to release the results in 24 to 36 hours.

“Priority is always given to emergency, ICU cases and all patients due for surgery.”

She said she expects demand to continue at the current level for the foreseeable future.

“However, the country has always adapted rapidly to such needs, and labs are adding capacity or activating dormant capacity to bring the turnaround time down.

“Once again, even today the turnaround here is way less than in many other countries.”

Some clinics continue to require longer wait-times as they adapt to increased demand, and customers at Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre’s screening sites were on Tuesday being told to expect a wait of two to three days for results.

HealthHub clinics are also experiencing longer waits for results.

Normal PCR test results, which cost Dh110, should be expected within 36 hours, while the express service, for Dh139, is taking up to 24 hours, it said.

Aster DM Healthcare said it was not affected by the recent surge in demand and has witnessed no change to its processing times, with results provided in 24 hours.

The UAE has among the best capacity for testing per population, globally.

According to Our World in Data, the country is the world’s fourth top tester, with almost 11,000 PCR tests performed for every 1,000 people.

But increased demand has stretched labs in recent days.

“More and more people are taking up screening due to the strict adherence to entry rules in all public places as mandated by the authorities,” Dr Oommen said.

“Also, many residents have returned after holidays and of course, there is an increase in tourists, who feel safe visiting UAE due to its strict preventive protocols.”

Many of the UAE’s tests take place in Abu Dhabi, where residents are required to check regularly to maintain their green pass status to visit many public areas.

In December, authorities in the capital increased requirements for testing after the emergence of Omicron, further adding to demand.

The validity of the green pass was reduced from 30 days to 14, meaning people have to record a negative PCR result every 14 days to maintain their green status.