UAE to introduce COVID-19 saliva tests across the country
New tests alternatives to PCR and DPI testing
The UAE’s COVID-19 laboratory testing operator Pure Health has announced that saliva tests will be soon be available in the UAE.
According to reports, the tests are expected to be validated ‘in the coming days’ and will provide an alternative to PCR nasal swabs and DPI laser tests.
Syed Sajjad Nakvi, senior manager in the Scientific Office at Pure Health, confirmed that the company has been working with the World Health Organisation to ‘check the quality and proficiency of testing centres’.
In July and August 2020, the UAE ranked first globally in the number of COVID-19 tests carried out per capita.
In August, more than 2 million tests were carried out in labs in the country, the eighth highest number in the world.
During that time the total number of cases has reduced by 21 percent and the mortality rate by 5.7 percent.
