Egypt ready to face any possible second wave of coronavirus: Health official

Egypt ready to face any possible second wave of coronavirus: Health official

Egypt is ready to deal with any possible second wave of coronavirus, a health ministry official told Egyptian state TV on Sunday.

"There are comprehensive preparations by the health ministry for any second wave of coronavirus. If it happens, we have a plan for that,“ vice president of the health ministry's scientific committee Dr Jihan El-Assal told 'Good Morning Egypt' TV show on Sunday.

El-Assal warned the public that they should continue to adhere to social distancing measures and continue to wear masks.

"Do not feel safe until the vaccine arrives,“ she added.

Egypt has recorded 91,583 coronavirus cases, including 4,558 deaths and 32,903 fully recovered patients

"Most of the coronavirus fatalities happened due to [patients having had prior] chronic diseases,“ El-Assal said.

"All the state's facilities were ready to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. There was a quick reaction from the Egyptian state. We studied how to have a proper lockdown to reduce the cases. The total lockdown caused a collapse in some countries,“ she said.

El-Assal said that the ministry has started to gradually close down quarantine hospitals due to the declining number of patients. She added that Cairo, Giza and Qalioubiya still have the highest infections rates.