• Lab staff working in the sample preparation room at Dubai Airport (DXB). All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    Lab staff scanning the barcode of a Covid-19 PCR sample.

UAE

Health

Coronavirus: UAE reports 373 new cases

Daily case numbers have dropped significantly in recent months

The National

May 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE reported 373 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday after a further 238,458 tests were carried out.

The new cases bring the tally of infections to 905,841.

No deaths have been reported since March 7 and the toll remains at 2,302.

Another 347 people beat the virus, taking total recoveries to 889,609.

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

More than 161 million tests have been conducted to date under a robust mass-screening programme, which has been central to the country's recovery strategy.

Meanwhile, Microsoft founder Bill Gates shared a video of his tour of a huge vaccine warehouse in Abu Dhabi, where millions of Covid-19 shots are stored.

The footage shows Mr Gates inspecting the site run by the Hope Consortium in Kizad.

The video gives an insight into the enormous logistical operation involved in storing vaccine doses, which need to be monitored carefully to ensure they do not spoil.

It takes viewers inside the sprawling warehouse, where vaccines are stored in boxes and crates on towering shelves.

Updated: May 25, 2022, 2:00 PM