The Dubai Health Authority has announced the price of COVID-19 tests has been reduced.
The decision was made on Sunday to decrease the cost of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, where a nasal swab is taken in order to detect any traces of coronavirus.
A reduction of more than Dhs100 has been implemented, making the cost of COVID-19 PCR tests now Dhs250 throughout Dubai in all licensed public and private healthcare establishments.
Similar steps were also recently taken in Abu Dhabi with the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) also reducing PCR test costs.
To encourage pre-emptive medical examinations as a precautionary and preventive measure, we reduced the cost of #COVID19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests to AED250 in #Dubai pic.twitter.com/b63dCthfPB
— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) September 13, 2020
Prior to this, COVID-19 PCR tests were priced at Dhs370 in both emirates.
Over the past month or so, the UAE’s COVID-19 numbers have begun to slowly increase with 930 new confirmed cases reported on Thursday, September 10. On Saturday, September 12, 1007 new cases were recorded.
During the COVID-19 press briefing last Thursday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for the UAE Ministry of Health, outlined that anyone who comes into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self-isolate at home for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test.
“Anyone who comes in contact with a COVID-19 patient must self isolate,” she said. “A PCR test is not enough as the incubation period can reach up to 14 days. The PCR should be negative on the 14th day to step out.”
Remember to social distance, wear a mask and wash your hands regularly – and above all, stay safe.
