SEHA opens three new drive-through Covid-19 testing centres in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) said on Saturday that it had opened three new Covid-19 testing drive-through centres in emirate.

They are located at Liwa, Sila and Dalma in the Al Dhafra region and they will operate through the week from 8am-8pm.

The centres feature two tracks, one for nasal swabs and the other for DPI laser-based testing with a capacity of 500 nasal swabs and 100 laser tests per day.

The latest additions raises the total number of SEHA Covid-19 drive-through facilities to 24 across the country with a combined capacity of over 140,000 PCR tests per week. Those wanting to receive a Covid-19 screening can book an appointment via SEHA’s app.

The new centers in Al Dhafra were built using shipping containers, and are therefore easy to move, reuse, and maintain.

Abu Dhabi has capped the costs of Covid-19 PCR tests at all healthcare facilities across the emirate at Dhs65. The only exception is for express services. For results to be obtained within one-two hours, it costs Dhs350, while for results to be obtained within two-five hours it is priced at Dhs350.

On Saturday, August 21, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 301,430 Covid-19 tests over the preceding 24 hours. As a result of those tests, 1,066 new infections were detected, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the country since the start of the pandemic to 708,302.