Abu Dhabi launches new Covid-19 contact tracing system

Abu Dhabi launches new Covid-19 contact tracing system

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new contact tracing mechanism, touted to be the region's first investigation and contact tracing system. It operates via a virtual chat carried out with those who have been positively identified with Covid-19 infections. Once a patient has been detected with Covid-19, the system will automatically send them an SMS with a link for the virtual chat. After verification of hisher Emirates ID, the person will proceed by answering specific questions to complete the process. The system is available only in Arabic and English. It will ask for a list of possible contacts 48 hours before the positive result. The information obtained will be considered confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the investigation team. In addition, the centre's team will review the data entered and make any necessary calls to complete missing or unclear information. The system will allows the investigation team to gather necessary information, such as who is returning from abroad, or who has recently come in contact with a positive case, in order to expand the investigation process. Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, chairman of