Egypt’s Health Ministry has reported the first case of novel Corona Virus in Egypt, where a foreigner tested positive for the virus.
Khaled Megahed, aide to the Minister of Health, said that the case was discovered through the precautionary plan implemented by the Ministry, which involves an e-programme that conducts round-the-clock monitoring of arrivals to Egypt from countries where cases of nCoV were reported. The case discovered displayed no symptoms of the disease, he said.
According to Mr Megahed, the Health Ministry directly reported the matter to the World Health Organisation, and all necessary precautions were taken.
The patient was moved to hospital in a self-sterilising vehicle, where he was reported to be a carrier of the virus not a sick case. His condition has been described as absolutely stable. All those who had been in contact with him tested negative for nCoV, but have been quarantined in their places of residence as a precautionary measure. The quarantine extends for 14 days, the incubation period of the virus, during which they will be monitored every eight hours.
The building in which the patient had resided was disinfected, as were those who came into contact with him.
Jean Jabbour, WHO representative in Egypt, commended Egypt’s prompt and transparent action, and its precautionary plan to deal with nCoV, saying it was among the first countries to do so. He said WHO provided Egypt with help to carry out its plan.
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Watani International
14 February 2020