How Covid-19 patients are treated at Abu Dhabi assessment centre

The centre is divided into four colour-coded halls where patients are sent depending on the severity of their case

A worker handles a sample at a testing centre in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The new Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre at ADNEC. Victor Besa / The National

The new Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre at ADNEC. Victor Besa / The National

An information officer at the hall. Victor Besa / The National

Patients at a kiosk. Victor Besa / The National

A woman is screened by a healthworker. Victor Besa / The National

Patients are screened by healthworkers Victor Besa / The National

A worker gives a swab test to a man. Victor Besa / The National

An electronic wristband is installed on a patient. Victor Besa / The National

A healthcare worker double checks if the patients control number is correct. Victor Besa / The National

An electronic wristband is installed on a patient at the new Covid-19 Prime Assessment Center at ADNEC. Victor Besa / The National

Covid-19 positive residents at the waiting room. Victor Besa / The National

A patient is interviewed by a healthcare worker. Victor Besa / The National

Magham Shrike with fellow healthcare worker at the new Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National

Covid-19 positive residents inside the waiting room. Victor Besa / The National

Two Covid-19 assessment centres opened in Abu Dhabi emirate last week to provide information and initial screening services for coronavirus patients.

The Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centres, operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services, or Seha, were set up in the field hospitals at the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain convention centres.

They are exclusively for people who test positive for Covid-19. Patients report to the centre, where they are told what to do next.

The centres are divided into four colour-coded halls where patients are sent depending on the severity of their case.

After patients receive their first positive coronavirus test result by text message, they report to the assessment centre for a general check-up. They are registered in the system as a Covid-19 patient and their vital signs are checked in addition to a second nasal swab.

Depending on the severity of their case, the patient is taken to the yellow (stable) zone or the red zone (unstable).

In the yellow zone, patients who receive a second positive Covid-19 test result, but who have mild or no symptoms, are taken through to the blue hall where they are given a physical consultation and registered for an electronic tracking device. This device, in the form of a armband, must be worn while under home quarantine. Alternatively, if the patient cannot safely self-isolate, they are taken to an isolation centre to see out their quarantine period.

If the patient’s second nose swab reveals a negative Covid-19 result, they are tested a third time in the purple hall and sent to home-quarantine for 14 days.

Patients with severe symptoms are classified as "unstable cases" and taken through to the red hall. There, they undergo more intensive testing including checking vital signs, an ECG, blood test and an X-ray. These patients are taken to hospital.

If their condition is deemed stable, they are taken through the yellow zone processes until they can be deemed clear of Covid-19.

There are designated stations for elderly patients, people with disabilities, families and women.

Visitor privacy and confidentiality is maintained at all stages of the process, authorities said.

The centre operates daily from 8am to 8pm.