Lessons Learned (COVID-19)

Case: Outbreak of COVID-19 cases

Location: Taweelah Desalination RO Project
Date: 25.May.2021
Brief description of the Case (What Happened?)
An outbreak of 68 persons was reported testing positive to COVID-19 at the labor camp of the Taweelah RO project.

The EPC Contractor arranged with the dedicated authority (SEHA) to organize a mass PCR testing round for 3017 persons, the first
batch of results bringing the identification of 49 positive cases. 156 L1, and 41 L2 contacts were tracked, identified, and finally set in
isolation/quarantine.

As the following batches were coming back, a total of 68 positive cases, 172 L1 contacts (mostly workers sharing accommodation
with the positive cases), and 62 L2 contacts (other forms of contacts, potentially leading to contagion) were reported (until May 25th).

All positive cases and contacts have been transferred to a government approved facilities in Al-Samha and Al-Rahba (Abu Dhabi)
area for isolation.

A second round of PCR tests was run for all the initial 68 positive cases, as required by the authorities. All the isolation, quarantine and
positive case management protocols are active as established at the location.
Findings

1. 95% of the persons tested positive already have the full vaccination scheme (2 doses). The remaining 5% having one dose only
(this is a confirmation of the available information, stating that the risk of infection is present even if the person has the full
vaccination scheme). All the positive personnel are asymptomatic.

2. The development of the event provides evidence that, the vaccination works as intended in the way that it does not provide
immunity to the disease, but it allows the human immune system to have a strong response to the infection in a short period of
time. This prevents the degradation of the person’s condition, hence the need for advanced medical care. This helps to avoid
saturation of hospitals, which severely affected national health systems worldwide, being one of the most concerning impacts
of the disease.

3. The event shows as well that a person could carry and transmit the disease to others, even with the full vaccination scheme
applied.
Root Causes
The EPC reduced the frequency of PCR testing after the last report of positive cases found (late April). Although there is no evidence
showing this is the direct root cause of the outbreak, the potential lack of effective monitoring creates a condition of uncertainty,
which makes early identification and management of positive cases nearly impossible, hence reducing the effectiveness of the
established protocols.
Lessons Learned & Recommendations
According to the findings, the following lessons learned are considered.

1. The vaccination works as intended, preventing a person to go seek for advanced medical care. However, a person could carry
and transmit the disease to others, even with the full vaccination scheme applied.

2. So far, the only known and effective-proven way to avoid transmission of the disease is to follow the universally accepted
preventive measures.

Individuals
✓ Good hygienic practices: washing hands with water and soap or using an alcohol-based rub frequently.
✓ Good respiratory etiquette: covering mouth and nose with a cloth, or the elbow when coughing/sneezing.
✓ Avoid shaking hands.
✓ Avoid gatherings and face-to face meetings.
✓ Keeping a safe distance: 2 meters are recommended in closed spaces, where ventilation is not good.
✓ Effective use of PPE: mask covering mouth and nose, frequent change and proper disposal of PPE.
✓ Self-isolation if a person feels any of the symptoms of the disease.
✓ When any of the symptoms are identified, seeking for professional health care and early contact with health authorities is of
high priority.

Organizations
✓ Early detection of the disease: setting and follow-up of screening strategies and protocols, to allow for the effective
identification, quarantine and testing of suspected cases.
✓ Establishment and close follow-up of disinfection and cleaning/up schedules, and emergency protocols where required

3. In addition, the establishment and strict follow-up of screening and testing schedules at all assets allows for a solid control and
effective monitoring of the status of all personnel, hence it is highly recommended to establish testing strategies aligned with each
group level of exposure to the disease, and in alignment with the local regulation, where available.
The following recommendations are applicable to all assets (construction sites, and operational facilities) with the highest priority:

1. Continue strict enforcement and effective follow-up of the established COVID-19 management protocols, in alignment with
both, local regulation, and ACWA Power guidelines, to reinforce the preventative approach at all assets.

2. Continue specific awareness sessions at all assets as soon as possible, in order to enhance and enforce the level of alertness,
and the sense of shared responsibility for the effective management of the current situation with a preventive approach.

3. All assets should review their established testing frequency and make the required changes to ensure that a significant
percentage of the total staff is PCR tested every two weeks (50% is recommended) -a rotational scheme should be designed
and implemented at each location.

4. When the previous action#3 is not possible due to local regulation or other limitations, the assets should establish their testing
protocols in alignment with any guidance or instructions coming from the Local Health Authorities.

5. All assets should review their emergency response procedure, and modify it as required. A drill schedule should be in place.

6. When Health Authorities offer free PCR testing, all assets should establish contact with them, and organize testing schedules as
soon as possible.

7. The authorities’ recommendations and/or instructions shall be followed regarding boost shots (a third shot of the already taken
vaccine).

Given the current situation, compliance with all these actions is mandatory for all assets. All assets should implement a specific,
permanent action plan to be strictly followed and reported during the High-Level Meetings and/or other review opportunities, and the
current COVID-19 progression and vaccination reports. The Corporate HSSE office shall provide support as required.

Best Regards,
HSSE Core Team