UAE officials announced on Wednesday that a pioneering modelling tool has been created to stop the spread of Covid-19 at public events and gatherings.
Known as 'the Expo 2020 model', it was unveiled at the world fair by Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, in the presence of partners involved in the project, including Expo 2020, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
The tool was developed by researchers at Khalifa University to make visitors' experiences at Expo safer, after it is predicted that more than 25 million people will pass through the gates over the next six months.
The health and safety of all visitors, participants and staff is Expo's number one priority
Reem Al Hashimy,
director general, Expo 2020 Dubai
It works by combing several key factors, such as the number of visitors from countries around the world and other parameters, including rates of transmission and risk of infection.
The programme has been in development for the best part of two years.
Results are presented through an interactive dashboard that allows you to change parameters and see the real-time effect of the pandemic.
The modelling tool focuses mainly on giving an accurate comparison between scenarios so authorities have the right information required to decide which action to take. The secondary focus is on predicting the numbers of new cases.
“The health and safety of all visitors, participants and staff is Expo's number one priority," said Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai.
"The pandemic has put this commitment even more sharply into focus, and we have worked tirelessly across the organisation to ensure we follow the latest guidance and collaborate closely with local and international authorities, including the UAE's world-class health authorities."
The researchers who developed the tool are Dr Jorge Rodriguez, associate professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr Mauricio Patton, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Dr Juan Acuna, professor and head of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Khalifa University.
“We are incredibly proud to have forged this important partnership with Expo 2020 and Khalifa University," said Abdullah bin Mohamed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi.
"Abu Dhabi has developed a distinguished model for the pandemic response and recovery.
"Moreover, the Emirate has been lauded for its readiness and response efforts [by] several of the world's cities.”
Coronavirus precautions in effect in Abu Dhabi - in pictures
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
