The Government of Abu Dhabi recently announced the implementation of the second phase of saliva testing for children in schools in the emirate. The decision has been taken by the Abu Dhabi government in line with the going efforts to effectively control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre has been committed to analyse and develop rapid testing measures for the welfare of children, noting that COVID-19 nasal swab tests can be uncomfortable for young school students and their families.

As per reports, saliva-based Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (SPCR) test has been hailed as a reliable innovation that generates rapid and accurate results within 6 and 12 hours from the time sample is collected from children.

Phase one of the saliva tests were completed in October by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in cooperation with G42 Healthcare-affiliated Department of Education and Knowledge and Biogenix Labs.

After parental consent was obtained, saliva Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (SPCR) tests for COVID-19 were conducted among students between 4 to 12 years-old in the Al Rabeeh School in Abu Dhabi. In the first phase, the authorities collected around 447 saliva samples, following which the results and examination process the results of the collection and examination process were successfully verified.

As of now, the second phase of the process was launched in December in 25 schools during when more than 2,000 students were examined. The authorities will continue to carry out the second phase across the Emirate with the aim of collecting samples from students in both private and charter schools. The Healthcare authorities have selected the schools in accordance with the epidemiological needs of the investigation in partnership with the Department of Education and Knowledge.

Biogenix Labs is well-equipped with facilities to carry out testing in the second phase. It has the capacity to process around 30,000 saliva Polymerase-Chain-Reaction (SPCR) tests each day. Significantly, SPCR tests involve lesser steps, have a high degree of accuracy, and do not require additional maintenance, as the saliva is collected in a sterile container which does not need any temperature control or special preservatives.

Speaking about the development, Dr.Omniyat Al-Hajri, Director of the Community Health Department - Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said that the new method of sample collection and testing using saliva instead of a nasal swab was launched at the beginning of October.

The step was taken in line with the continued efforts of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and the Department of Health to test and analyse new scientific developments in COVID-19 examinations in response to the pandemic crisis in order to provide easy, comfortable and reliable services to the community. The Director added that the new method was highly welcomed by both students and parents along with the teaching staff who supervised the students during the testing at school.

"Our experience has shown that saliva collection is easier and more comfortable than the nasal swab for the age group between 4 and 12 years old," Dr Al-Hajri said.

Dr. Tariq Al Ameri, Director of the Licensing and Education Compliance Department at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, affirmed that the authorities have prioritised the health and safety of the school community in Abu Dhabi in the efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis. Dr Al Ameri stated that the authorities have continued to make efforts to maintain a healthy environment in Private and Charter schools in Emirate.

As the new academic year began in the country, the authorities conducted regular COVID-19 checks for all school personnel. It also mandated all students over the age of 12 to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to school in the emirate.

He added that the Licensing and Education Compliance Department has been working in cooperation with the Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre since the initial launch of the COVID-19 saliva test. It has allowed parents of school students under the age of 12 to choose to take a saliva test instead of a nasal swab for their children during the COVID-19 examination at schools.

G42 Healthcare CEO Ashish Koshy expressed pleasure in receiving support from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and the Department of Education and Knowledge in providing the saliva-based testing service for schools in Abu Dhabi.

"The primary goal during the COVID-19 pandemic is to keep students safe as they return to school, and to restore the normal course of life for students and their families," he said.

According to Ashish Koshy, saliva PCR test is a child-friendly test that does not cause any discomfort to students. It is more convenient and faster than the nasopharyngeal polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test, making it a good alternative to other tests.

"Regular COVID-19 checks have become a part of our lives, and we at G42 Healthcare and Biogenix Labs are eager to continue advancing additional innovation in COVID-19 testing for the wider community," he added.

The Abu Dhabi Government has been making efforts to confront the COVID-19 pandemic to contain the spread of the virus with its initiatives of the National Survey Programme. It has helped the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to successfully maintain a low percentage of confirmed cases per total tests conducted.

Meanwhile, the concerned authorities will continue to work with relevant entities to provide testing services across all sections of society and ensure the highest precautionary standards and preventive measures to combat COVID-19.

WAM