Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi conducts more than 200,000 home Covid-19 tests

Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel with updated Covid-19 precautionary measures. A distance sign at the check-in area of the hotel. Victor Besa / The National

Labourers working at one of the construction site during the sunset in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National)

A man wearing a protective mask is seen shopping in Ibn Batutta mall. Pawan Singh / The National

People wearing a protective face mask on the Abra in Dubai Creek in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Bus commuters at downtown Abu Dhabi heading home during rush hour. Victor Besa / The National

One of the guests at the Towers Rotana hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

More than 200,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out across Abu Dhabi under a home screening programme that began last month.

The tests were conducted in 15 residential neighbourhoods.

The programme launched in June to offer elderly and vulnerable members of society an alternative to going to testing centres. Under the programme, medics visit an individual's home to conduct the test and the results are sent through text message and on the Al Hosn app.

The programme is also part of the emirate's wider National Screening Programme, which seeks to test as many people as possible. The mass-testing scheme aims to identify, isolate and treat patients as quickly as possible to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Tests will continue to be carried out across the emirate by the Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha).

The UAE has conducted more than 4.9 million tests since the outbreak.