Over 2,000 Abu Dhabi students screened for COVID-19 using saliva tests

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Authorities in Abu Dhabi have used saliva testing to screen more than 2,000 students for COVID-19.

The initiative, which was launched in October, has now entered its second phase, extending to 25 schools in the emirate.

Pupils between the ages of four and 12 are eligible, and the screening is only conducted after getting parental consent.

Results are received after six to 12 hours following sample collection.

The project is being implemented by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in cooperation with Biogenix Labs, and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge.

مسؤولون في مركز أبوظبي للصحة العامة ودائرة التعليم والمعرفة ومختبر بيوجينكس، إحدى شركات مجموعة "جي 42"، يتحدثون عن جهود تطوير منهجيات فحوصات سريعة تخفف الأعباء على أطفال المدارس وعائلاتهم، ومنها إجراء فحوصات "كوفيد-19" باستخدام اللعاب. pic.twitter.com/ItAWXANR4L

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) January 3, 2021

.@adphc_ae, in cooperation with @BiogenixLabs and @ADEK_tweet, have offered saliva testing for 2000+ children in #AbuDhabi schools, in line with efforts to maintain a safe learning environment for students. pic.twitter.com/PitY1AqAeL

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) January 3, 2021