The Ministry of Health depends on the weekly average of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections to evaluate the pandemic situation in Egypt, according to Ministry of Health spokesperson Khaled Mogahed.
He noted that the average daily rate of infections is not an effective indicator in evaluating the virus spread situation in the country.
In a phone call to private TV station, DMC, on Friday evening, Mogahed added that the weekly average of infections remains at safe rates. He also said that that 95% of coronavirus fatalities are patients with chronic diseases.
On Saturday, Egypt reported 1,547 new coronavirus cases, and 89 new deaths. The country’s total number of confirmed cases reached 53,758 cases, with 89 fatalities. A total of 14,327 cases have recovered and been discharged from quarantine facilities at hospitals.
Mogahed stated that the Ministry of Health approved treatment protocol for coronavirus cases has proven to be highly effective and efficient. He added that the ministry has not suspended use of malaria drug, Hydroxychloroquine, as part of the treatment protocol.
The ministry’s committee of experts for combating the coronavirus is working on following up on all updates related to the virus and its treatments. The committee is aware that Hydroxychloroquine can cause some side effects for some patients with heart and liver diseases, according to Dr Mohamed Abdel Rahman, Head of the Central Administration for Preventive Affairs.
Moreover, Mogahed stated that ambulances have been provided in front of the centres allocated for Thannaweya Amma exams. The Ministers of Education and Health will undertake inspections of the centres to ensure the appropriate safety and precautionary measures are taken.
Mogahed also pointed out that meetings with the Chamber of Healthcare Providers in the private sector have been held. The meetings were held to agree on the regulations and pricing of services provided by private hospitals, with the majority of these hospitals agreeing to the ministry’s decisions.
