Coronavirus: UAE reports 208 new cases from 207,875 tests

Another 567 recovered in the past 24 hours

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.

The UAE reported 208 new Covid-19 cases on Monday after a further 207,875 tests were carried out.

The new cases bring the tally of infections to 894,070.

The death toll remains at 2,302 after officials confirmed that no one has died of the virus in the past 24 hours. The last recorded death was on March 7.

Another 567 people beat the virus, taking the tally of recoveries to 874,607.

Daily case numbers have dropped significantly in recent months after topping 3,000 in January following the emergence of the Omicron variant.

The decline in infection rates has allowed authorities to ease coronavirus restrictions, which includes limiting the face masks to indoor settings and lifting mandatory testing rules to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates.

But authorities have warned the public against complacency and urged them to follow social-distancing rules.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, the spokeswoman for the UAE's healthcare sector, said it was vital that rules still in place to protect public health were followed.

“Covid is still out there, and maintaining safety measures is still very important,” Dr Al Hosani said.

“We want to remind you of the precautionary measures, particularly the wearing of face masks in closed spaces and maintaining social distancing. We also advise the public to keep away from crowded areas.

“We know that measures have eased not only in the UAE but the rest of the world. However, it is important to keep a balance and to continue to adhere to many of the health and safety measures that we have grown accustomed to over the past two years."