Demand for PCR tests has surged as households in the UAE make summer time vacation plans and commuters adapt to tighter border rules for entry to Abu Dhabi.
Testing campaigns by employers to guarantee employees are freed from Covid-19 are additionally contributing to the rise.
The variety of day by day tests carried out at one centre in Al Ain has soared from about 650 to greater than 1,000 following the Eid Al Adha break.
VPS Healthcare in Abu Dhabi additionally recorded elevated demand in the post-holiday interval.
As households go for annual holidays or journey house for the summer time break, demand for pre-travel PCR tests has elevated. Clinics are already bracing for an finish of summer time rush, when households return to the UAE and pupils will be tested before schools reopen.
Considering the rise in demand for the tests, NMC Speciality Hospital at Al Ain has elevated its lab capability accordingly,
Dr Iajaz Ahmed Hagalwadi
Changes to requirements for entry into Abu Dhabi have additionally pushed up demand, docs mentioned.
As of July 19, anybody getting into the capital should current a detrimental PCR check consequence acquired inside 48 hours, or 24 hours for DPI tests, even when vaccinated.
Previously, those that had acquired each doses of a vaccine might journey to and from the capital for seven days after receiving a detrimental PCR check.
Testing rush was anticipated
“Considering the rise in demand for the tests, NMC Speciality Hospital at Al Ain has elevated its lab capability accordingly,” mentioned Dr Iajaz Ahmed Hagalwadi, the hospital’s medical director.
“With the modification of the rules by the federal government authorities we anticipated a rise in the variety of screenings, so the hospital opened a new, unique and spacious tent for Covid-19 screening.
“We imagine the pattern will proceed for a while, owing to elevated consciousness and regulatory mandates.”
The variety of PCR tests carried out nationwide every day frequently exceeds 250,000.
Return to work contributes to testing demand
Regulatory screenings for employees mandated by the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi have additionally elevated from 600 beforehand to 800 a day this week.
While giant numbers of staff labored from house in the early months of the pandemic, many have since returned to workplaces.
Staff working in healthcare, the meals manufacturing business, hospitality and supermarkets are contributing to rising demand.
In March, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation introduced unvaccinated employees employed by inns, eating places, transportation firms, laundries, magnificence salons and hairdressers had to take PCR tests each 14 days.
Travellers conscious of Covid-19 rules
“School holidays are one more reason for the rise in testing, as UAE households are travelling again to their house international locations to spend their holidays,” mentioned Dr Hagalwadi.
“As per journey rules, it’s necessary to have a detrimental Covid report lower than 72 hours earlier than flying to be eligible for journey.”
NMC Health mentioned on-site firm screening programmes had spiked from 400 to 650 tests a day as folks returned to work.
Don’t ignore signs even when PCR check is detrimental
Meanwhile, docs mentioned a new pattern was rising, of nasal swabs taken in some suspected Covid-19 constructive sufferers, returning a detrimental consequence.
“We are seeing a phenomena now the place the virus isn’t concentrated in the nostril and in consequence we’re not seeing a constructive check in a affected person with signs in a primary, second and even third PCR check,” mentioned Dr Fadi Baladi, medical director at hospital group Burjeel.
“Patients suppose it’s secure to return to work and not isolate after a detrimental check consequence, when in reality they’re carrying the virus.
“A throat swab needs to be one other consideration as a result of, when the scientific image suggests Covid, that has to be revered.
“If there may be myalgia, fever and nothing else is becoming the signs besides Covid, and the PCR is detrimental, wait and repeat the check. Do not settle for the false feeling of security.”
Recording a detrimental check, regardless of being contaminated with coronavirus is uncommon however not unprecedented.
In April 2020, Indian nationwide Anu Mohanan, who lives in Sharjah, examined detrimental for 15 consecutive days regardless of displaying extreme signs of Covid-19.
Mr Mohanan spent 40 days at NMC Speciality Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai – half that point in vital care – earlier than lastly being discharged in June.
Medics couldn’t clarify how repeated PCR tests got here again detrimental, regardless of the plain presence of the virus.
“It is tough to say why that is starting to occur now,” mentioned Dr Baladi.
“It isn’t a way difficulty because the check is being executed on the identical centre, by the identical competent folks.
“One clarification is that the virus is extra concentrated in the decrease respiratory tract space, relatively than in the higher space.
“Other swab tests taken from a blood pattern can be executed to give a 100 per cent correct prognosis.”
Updated: July twenty seventh 2021, 3:00 AM
