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Health Min.: Egypt's Coronavirus Infections Soar up This Week


Wed 23 Dec 2020 | 09:15 PM
Ahmed Moamar

Minister of Health and Population Dr. Hala Zayed said on Wednesday that this week witnessed an increase in the number of infections with the coronavirus.

Zayed, addressing a press conference, pointed out that the number of infections in Egypt reached 127,000 cases, while the toll of death reached 7,000 cases during 10 and a half months since the first case of the disease detected in the country.

Zayed revealed - during a press conference held today, Wednesday to announce the new hospitals listed to provide service to Corona patients.

She affirmed that Cairo governorate tops with the largest number of infections, followed by Alexandria, Giza, and Qalyubia.”

The minister called on citizens to take precautionary measures and social distancing, noting that all scientists confirmed that the new Corona strain did not reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines.

She went on to say that the age group most affected is over fifty years of age, and there is an increase in the number of infections in the age group from 35 to 50 years, and in the age group between 15 and 35 years."

Zayed warned that the coronavirus has undergone a mutation, such as the influenza virus, as a result of the pision of the virus and the occurrence of genetic mutations, such as what has happened to the coronavirus in both Britain and South Africa."

The minister explained that scientists and researchers confirmed that there is no need for an amendment in the vaccine prepared for the coronavirus.

She met with the scientific committee yesterday to discuss the current situation while monitoring the severity of cases or the speed of the virus spread.

She indicated that the genetic status of the virus was monitored with the central laboratories of the ministry, confirming that the cases were followed up in Cairo governorate to find out their severity or the cases that were exposed to the virus more than once.

On the position of the vaccine in the world, Zayed explained that 6 experiments have been conducted on (Sinopharm) and approved by the UAE, Bahrain, and China.

The minister said that there are 363 hospitals equipped to receive coronavirus patients in all governorates of the Republic, including about 35,000 internal beds, about 4,500 care beds, and 2,400 respirators, and 200 new respirators have also been provided that will be distributed to hospitals.

She assured that of the 27 hospitals that receive only those infected with Coronavirus, in addition to 71 hospitals for fever and chest patients.

She pointed out that the tests for the vaccine will be completed by next week through the National Authority for Drug Control and Research.

The minister explained that the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a series of training courses for health service providers on the emerging coronavirus vaccine, and coordination is being made with the organization to train health service providers in the ministry.

The minister also indicated that a website will be provided to register those wishing to receive the vaccine, and the registration will be for health sector workers and priority citizens with oncological diseases, kidney failure, and chronic diseases.

[caption id="attachment_191512" align="aligncenter" width="868"]Zayed during The Press Conference on Coronavirus Situation in Egypt Zayed during The Press Conference on Coronavirus Situation in Egypt[/caption]

The steps of registering depend on the Chronic Diseases Initiative through their hospitals and treatment centers.

She pointed out that a health center and unit will be identified in each governorate through which the vaccination service will be provided, and coordination has been made with the Ministry of the Interior to secure the places where the service is proposed to be provided, noting that the anti-virus vaccine will be provided in Egypt for free.

Zayed confirmed that the 51st week is the highest in coronavirus infections in the world, as December and January are the most frequent months of infection for the spread of respiratory diseases in the winter.

The minister again called on citizens to take precautionary measures and wear masks, saying: "Failure of citizens to follow these measures makes us lose our jobs and affects the citizen's income, economy, and health."

Zayed added that the citizen is responsible for himself and his family," praising the role of the Ministry of Interior and Local Development in maintaining the precautionary measures.

She stressed the role of the government in what it offers to citizens and the importance of wearing masks in public transport and work, noting that the introduction of precautionary measures makes citizens safe.