Video: Abu Dhabi approves Covid-19 scanners after trial, to roll them out at malls, residential areas

Abu Dhabi has approved the use of EDE scanners to detect Covid-19 infections, and will roll them out across several areas within the emirate, it announced on Sunday.

The approval comes after the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi rolled out a pilot trial at various locations in the emirate, including the Ghantout entry point, select public locations on Yas Island, and entry/exit points in the Musaffah area.

The scanners can detect a possible Covid-19 infection by measuring electromagnetic waves, which change when the RNA particles of the virus are present in the person’s body, therefore providing an immediate result.

With more than 20,000 people tested, the results of the pilot showed a “high degree of effectiveness” in using EDE scanners to detect a positive Covid-19 infection, a statement said.

The results showed 93.5 per cent sensitivity, “reflecting the accuracy of identifying infected individuals”, and 83 per cent accuracy in the specificity of the test, “reflecting the accuracy of identifying non-infected individuals”.

Read: Abu Dhabi rolls out mass screening Covid-19 technology

The scanning system, which was developed by EDE Research Institute Abu Dhabi under the International Holding Company (IHC), will now be rolled out across the emirate.

Effective from Monday, June 28, EDE scanners will be used at various shopping malls, some residential areas, and all land and air entry points, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee announced.

زوار لياس مول يعبرون عن شعورهم بالمزيد من الطمأنينة والأمان عند دخولهم المركز التجاري بعد إجراء المسح باستخدام أنظمة EDE للكشف عن الإصابات المحتملة بكوفيد-19، والتي اعتمدتها دائرة الصحة – أبوظبي تعزيزاً للإجراءات الوقائية وللحد من انتشار الفيروس. pic.twitter.com/hsClIWyKUq

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 27, 2021

If the scanner identifies a person as being potentially infected with Covid-19, they will not be permitted to enter and must follow the approved protocol and take a PCR test within 24 hours.

Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, undersecretary at Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi has adopted an integrated strategy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, based on increased testing to ensure safe entry into the emirate, vaccination and the continued implementation of precautionary measures. The use of the EDE scanning system is part of this strategy.

“We are pleased to add EDE scanning technology made in Abu Dhabi to the precautionary measures, helping to create safer areas and maintain public health. The EDE scanners will be used alongside other approved testing methods, such as PCR and DPI.”

The technology will also play a “key role in limiting Covid-19 transmission by establishing safe zones that are subject to a series of preventive procedures”, the statement added.

Starting from June 15, Abu Dhabi has made the Alhosn green pass mandatory for access to shopping malls, large supermarkets, gyms, hotels, public parks and beaches, private beaches and swimming pools, entertainment centres, cinemas, museums, restaurants and cafés for all those aged 16 and over.

Read: Abu Dhabi makes Alhosn green pass mandatory for entry to public spaces including malls, restaurants and cinemas

The Alhosn colour-coded system shows an individual’s vaccination and infection status. It turns from green to grey once the PCR test validity ends, and to red if a test result is positive.