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.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus: UAE reports 78 new Covid-19 cases from 242,454 tests

There are 2,747 active cases in the Emirates

The National

December 11, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron

The UAE reported 78 coronavirus cases on Saturday, after an additional 242,454 tests were carried out.

Officials said no one died from the virus in the 24-hour reporting period.

The Emirates has recorded 742,719 infections and 2,151 deaths since the first Covid-19 case was detected on January 29 last year.

Another 72 people overcame the virus, taking the total number of recoveries to 737,821.

There are 2,747 active cases in the Emirates.

Daily cases have remained below 100 since October 21. The country's extensive testing campaign and vaccination drive have controlled the spread of infection over the past couple of months.

More than 104 million PCR tests have been carried out to date and more than 22.1 million vaccine doses have been administered in the past year.

According to official data, 100 per cent of the eligible population has received one dose of the vaccine while more than 90 per cent is fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, scientists in the UAE have invented an electric face mask they say is capable of killing viruses.

The device has two electrodes fitted to either side of a mask, which zap any viruses that enter the space, either completely destroying them or rendering them harmless.

The UAE University team, led by Dr Mahmoud Al Ahmad, have patented the idea and are now seeking investors to produce the masks at scale.

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Bio

Age: 25

Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah

Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering

Favourite colour: White

Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai

Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.

First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sreesanth's India bowling career

Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40

ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55

T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

On Women's Day
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

 

On Women's Day
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Updated: December 11, 2021, 10:12 AM`
Coronavirus