Egypt’s only suspected case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been successfully discharged following negative laboratory results, the Egyptian Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Friday.
The Health Ministry’s spokesperson Khaled Megahed said a PCR analysis conducted on the 33-year-old Chinese national tested negative, following his admittance into a specially designated isolation hospital on February 14.
A medical team conducted periodic checks and analysis on the Chinese national, he added, which all came back negative.
Upon the national’s release he was received by a delegation from his country’s embassy, who praised the care he received during the isolation period and the preventive measures Egypt has taken to address the coronavirus outbreak.
The WHO’s Representative in Egypt John Jabbour said that all measures taken to monitor this situation were carried out in full cooperation with the WHO, following its scientific and technical guidelines especially regarding laboratory procedures.
Jabbour praised Egypt’s precautionary plan against the COVID-19 outbreak and its efficient medical and preventive measures, noting that the country remains completely free of the virus.
He further praised the government’s transparency in promptly reporting the case to the WHO and providing it with epidemiological data.
Health and Population Minister Hala Zayed met ministry leaders on Thursday to discuss implementing the precautionary plan and measures against the coronavirus.
She stressed the necessity of examining all arrivals from any country the virus has emerged in.
The government will hide nothing if any suspicious cases arise, she said.
The minister also ordered that 20 thermal infrared gates be distributed in Egyptian airports and ports to check arrivals.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
