The global fight against COVID-19 is entering a new phase, as countries are increasing their understanding and are becoming more ready to face the pandemic and the world is preparing to continue combating the virus for a longer period than expected. The World Health Organisation and international medical bodies are highlighting the impact of increasing the numbers of tests conducted to determine the efficiency of every country’s containment policy.

Since the start of the crisis, the UAE has believed in the importance of mass testing and the country’s level of testing relative to the population is higher than the international level. The UAE has conducted over 1,122,000 tests in hospitals and health centres and established 14 drive-through testing centres. It has also conducted home testing for people of determination.

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, operates the 14 drive-through testing centres around the country, in line with the policy to expand the number of tests and simplify and facilitate procedures. The UAE also provides testing services to all citizens and residents in many hospitals and specialist health centres.

The launch of the largest laboratory in the world outside China, which will monitor and analyse the occurrence of Coronavirus in Abu Dhabi will help raise the number and efficiency of testing around the country. The laboratory, which was constructed in just 14 days, has world-class diagnostic capacities that will help facilitate response and containment.

WAM