Medical staff speak to drivers before they take a prick of blood from their finger that can rapidly be scanned for signs of the virus. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
Medical staff speak to drivers before they take a prick of blood from their finger that can rapidly be scanned for signs of the virus. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
Police direct a long line of vehicles waiting for the rapid test at the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border
Police direct a long line of vehicles waiting for the rapid test at the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border
Many commuters are expected to use the quick Dh50 to enter Abu Dhabi instead of undergoing a PCR nasal swab test, which costs about Dh150 in a private clinic
Many commuters are expected to use the quick Dh50 to enter Abu Dhabi instead of undergoing a PCR nasal swab test, which costs about Dh150 in a private clinic
A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
Medical staff use a laser scanning technique called DPI to look for signs that the body has generated antibodies to fight off a virus
A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
A medic takes a drop of blood from a commuter
Eighteen stations can handle 36 vehicles at any one time. The process takes several minutes to show a result
Eighteen stations can handle 36 vehicles at any one time. The process takes several minutes to show a result
Although the DPI test does not specifically look for Covid-19, it quickly identifies whether someone may be ill
Although the DPI test does not specifically look for Covid-19, it quickly identifies whether someone may be ill
Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The company that runs the service for the government said it should save drivers time and money
The company that runs the service for the government said it should save drivers time and money
Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Drivers line up to be tested on Al Faya Road just off the E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Health

Covid-19 testing halted in several Dubai malls as public sent to dedicated centres

Government-run screening booths Dubai Mall, Nakheel Mall and Mirdif City Centre closed on Tuesday

Nick Webster
Nick Webster

February 04, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai Health Authority halted testing in several major malls on Tuesday and urged the public to visit dedicated screening centres instead.

PCR testing stations in Dubai Mall, Nakheel Mall, Mirdif City Centre as well as Al Hamriya Port Majlis and Al Shabab Al-Ahli football club have now closed.

The DHA also announced it had stopped taking appointments for Covid-19 PCR testing at Al Barsha Health Centre from Wednesday, February 3.

Walk-in testing services are still available at Deira City Centre and at the Mall of the Emirates.

Appointments must be booked to get tested at DHA facilities in Al Rashidiya Majlis, Jumeirah 1 Port Majlis and Al Nasr Club, as well as in private hospitals.

As the focus shifts towards a national vaccination programme, fewer clinics will offer PCR tests without prior appointment to cope with the anticipated demand for vaccination.

In the private sector, Mediclinic Middle East hospitals and clinics continue to provide up to 6,000 PCR tests a day at facilities across the country.

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More than 23.7 million PCR and DPI tests have been carried out during the pandemic.

The UAE government launched a national vaccination campaign in December.

More than two million vaccine doses have been given to Emiratis and residents since the start of a campaign.

The UAE authorised use of the Sinopharm vaccine, which is available nationwide. In Dubai, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is also available to prioritised groups.

The Sinopharm vaccine is available to anyone over the age of 16 at more than 152 centres nationwide.

It is available at all clinics run by Abu Dhabi's public health operator, Seha; at Ministry of Health and Prevention centres; and at several private hospitals across the country, as well as in some majlis.

Health centres that come under the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention accept walk-ins. But appointments are needed for vaccination centres and drive-through centres operated by the Seha public hospital operator.

Residents can book appointments on the Seha app. Appointments are also needed to get vaccinated at private hospitals in the country.

Read more from Kareem Shaheen
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
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KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS

Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

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MATCH INFO

Scotland 59 (Tries: Hastings (2), G Horne (3), Turner, Seymour, Barclay, Kinghorn, McInally; Cons: Hastings 8)

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The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

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Sinopharm vaccine explained

The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades. 

“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.

"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."

This is then injected into the body.

"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.

"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."

The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.

Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.

“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.

While you're here
Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Strait of Hormuz

Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.

Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.

How to help

Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.

Account name: Dar Al Ber Society

Account Number: 11 530 734

IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734

Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae

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