Egypt has agreed with a UK company to supply the country with 30m doses out of the 400m available doses of its novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, according to Egypt’s Minister of Health Hala Zayed.
The vaccine, which is set to cure the novel coronavirus, is expected to become available in September, Zayed added.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Health reported 603 new coronavirus cases in Egypt, and 51 new fatalities. The country’s total number of confirmed cases has now reached 87,775 cases, with 4,302 fatalities. A total of 28,380 cases have recovered and been discharged from quarantine facilities at hospitals.
In televised comments on Saturday evening, Egypt’s Minister of Health added that some local research centres are conducting clinical trials to manufacture a vaccine against the virus.
“The numbers of infections of the novel coronavirus have decreased in the past few days after a notable decline during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, about two months ago,” Zayed revealed.
She stressed the readiness of the country’s health sector to treat COVID-19 cases, noting that the allocation of 340 isolation hospitals to accept patients have played an important role in containing the infection in Egypt.
Zayed pointed out that following the protective measures implemented at governmental facilities, including wearing face masks in public, were behind the infections decline.
The minister added that about 2m doses of antiviral drugs have been provided to COVID-19 patients in home isolation. This is in addition to a further 8m doses provided to those who were in direct contact with patients.
She further praised the level of awareness and commitment to precautionary measures among citizens following the holy month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, during televised statements on Sunday, Dr Jihan Al-Assal, Deputy Head of the Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus, said she believes Egypt has passed the virus’ first wave, despite the virus not disappearing completely yet.
