The World Health Organisation (WHO) Egypt-based bureau organised today a press conference in cooperation with the Egyptian State Information Service (SIS) to announce the latest on coronavirus COVID-19 in Egypt, and to answer reporters questions on the topic. Participating in the panel were Jean Jabbour, WHO representative in Egypt, and Diaa Rashwan, head of the SIS and the Journalists’ Syndicate.
Timeline
Jean Jabbour started by giving a brief timeline of coronavirus since it first appeared in China on the first of January 2020, was declared by WHO a health emergency of international concern on 29 January, was given the name COVID-19 on 11 February, and was announced and a global pandemic on 11 March 2020.
Dr Jabbour then moved to the Egyptian case of COVID-19 and how the State joined hands with WHO to combat it. He said the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Egypt on 14 February, applauding the transparency with which the Egyptian Presidency, Cabinet and Ministry of Health dealt with the matter since the start of the outbreak. He especially praised the healthcare measures taken by the State to benefit the health of Egyptians long before COVID-19 broke out.
Once the outbreak of COVID-19 started in Egypt, Dr Jabbour said, rapid response teams were deployed in all Egyptian governorates to monitor cases which tested positive, and track those who mingled with them. He pointed out to the initiative of the Egyptian State to repatriate Egyptians stuck in Wuhan, and the measures adopted by the Ministry of Health since then to test suspect cases, isolate them, treat them and track those who had mingled with them.
Battling the virus
Dr Jabbour commended the cautionary measures later taken by the State to close schools and universities and suspend activities that involved large gatherings.
As to confronting COVID-19, Dr Jabbour pointed to the measures taken by Egypt, and to the technical help provided to the country by the WHO. He said that Egypt was among the first four countries in the East Mediterranean region to be handed laboratory kits to test for COVID-19. He explained that the WHO provided Egypt with the technical know-how to investigate the outbreak and track contacts of positive cases, in addition to training on how to limit contagion and contain the virus at early stages of infection. WHO also provided Egypt with personal protection equipment.
Dr Jabbour said that the Egyptian Health Ministry daily communicates the numbers of new cases of COVID-19 and that to date there were 2065 cases in Egypt that tested positive for the virus, among them 159 deaths, and 447 that were cured. He said that 85 per cent of the cases recovered without the need for any treatment, and 13 per cent of infections were among the medics.
Death rate: 7.6 per cent of infections
The death rate from COVID-19 in Egypt, Dr Jabbour said, is 7.6 per cent, explaining that according to the Health Ministry 30 per cent of those who die from coronavirus die before they reach hospitals or receive any treatment. He explained that the death rates are under study. [The 7.6 per cent death rate is considered rather high by experts.]
WHO representative explained that since COVID-19 is new, there is still an underestimation of the cases reported. But it is vital to have in place a strong monitoring and tracking system able to monitor the cases and the epidemiological trend. Dr Jabbour said the Egyptian Ministry of Health is monitoring acute respiratory diseases through a comprehensive system of epidemiological and laboratory surveillance that has been in operation since 1999. This involves surveillance of acute respiratory diseases in more than 420 hospitals and health facilities. These programmes, he explained, will lead to the detection of more infections which will in turn lead to their isolation and treatment, and hence protection of the Egyptian society.
Social stigma
Egypt, like any other country in the world, Dr Jabbour explained, faces many challenges on the COVID-19 front. Coordination between different sectors is needed in order to enhance the response to COVID-19 and optimise the use of resources. Also significant, he said, was dealing with the social stigma against patients and especially medical staff, which places an added burden on the health system.
WHO representative called on Egyptians during this season of feasts in the Arab World to embrace and commit to cautionary measures advised by the WHO, and to stay home to protect themselves, their families and their fellow citizens from contracting COVID-19.
Watani International
13 April 2020