Dr Ahmed Hawash, Director of the Damanhour Fever Hospital, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for the second time, following his first recovery in June.
Hawash said that, on this occasion, he is suffering from more severe symptoms than those he experienced the first time. He had tested positive for the novel virus for the first time on 29 May, with his second positive diagnosis confirmed on 18 July.
The director has been hospitalised at Damanhour Fever Hospital, and is currently receiving treatment on a ventilator.
Hawash warned patients who have recovered from the coronavirus to take care due to the risks of contracting the virus again, even within a short time span from their first confirmed infection.
Meanwhile, the Minya Medical Syndicate announced the death, on Tuesday, of Dr Wardani Hassan Eid who died from the complications due to the virus. The doctor’s death raises the total number of doctors who died from the novel coronavirus in Minya governorate so far to five.
Over 3,000 doctors have been infected with the virus so far, according to the Egyptian Medical Syndicate (EMS). The total number of fatalities among Egypt’s doctors from the coronavirus has increased to 142, Dr Ibrahim El-Zayat, a council member at the EMS, told Daily News Egypt.
Dr Hoda Yousef, Dr Heba Abdullah, Dr Ali Saleh and Dr Adel Gerges are among the new healthcare professional deaths, El-Zayat added.
Since the first case was reported in Egypt in February, healthcare workers have been on the frontline in the battle against the novel coronavirus. The EMS has been calling for greater protection for Egypt’s healthcare professionals, demanding that they be provided with the required PPE and healthcare facilities should they become infected.
The syndicate has also called for PCR testing to be provided for healthcare professionals, whilst also excusing elderly and pregnant medical workers from direct contact with coronavirus patients.
In May, the Ministry of Health allocated 20 beds at each quarantine hospital across the country to healthcare workers who have been infected with the virus. It also pledged to expand PCR tests and other related tests for medical workers.
