CAIRO, Feb 15, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – The first case of the novel coronavirus
has been confirmed in Egypt, the health ministry announced on Friday.
“A foreign person has tested positive for the coronavirus … The case is
stable and did not show any symptoms,” Khaled Mujahid, spokesperson for the
health ministry, said in a statement.
The spokesman did not identify the nationality of the case.
Mujahid said that the World Health Organization (WHO) was immediately
informed, noting that all preventive measures were taken in cooperation with
the WHO.
He said that the case was transferred in a self-sterilized ambulance to a
hospital and kept under mandatory quarantine, adding that the health ministry
has tested those who are in contact with the case, affirming they all were
negative for the virus.
“They will also be kept for 14-day quarantine at their residences as a
precautionary measure,” the spokesman said, noting that medical teams check
them every eight hours.
He said that the case was detected thanks to the preventive precautionary
plan implemented by the health ministry through activating the electronic
program to register and follow up those coming from countries where the novel
coronavirus spread.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, Egypt has adopted an integrated plan,
which covers early detection, quarantine and treatment measures, as well as
raising public awareness.