Egypt’s health minister urges citizens to adhere to preventive measures against coronavirus during Ramadan

CAIRO – 8 April 2021: Egypt’s Health Minister Hala Zayed urged citizens to adhere to preventive measures against coronavirus, saying the ministry was put on alert ahead of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

In a press conference on Thursday to review the developments of the epidemiological situation of the coronavirus in Egypt, Zayed urged citizens to drink more water during Ramadan.

Zayed urged relying on foods that strengthen immunity.

Zayed said the second wave of the coronavirus in Egypt is witnessing a decrease in the rates of infection and deaths compared to the first wave, despite the significant increase in the number of infections during the past six weeks.

Zayed pointed out to a marked increase in infection rates in Upper Egypt from Fayyoum governorate to Qena.

Governorates with the highest rates of infection across the country are Kafr El Sheikh, Sohag, Port Said, Beni Suef, Sharkia, Assiut, and Qena, she said, adding that the number of internal beds, intensive care beds, ventilators, and medical oxygen cylinders have been increased in these areas to meet the increased cases.

Zayed said that she planned a visit to Upper Egypt governorates in the coming days, due to the increasing rate of coronavirus cases there, adding that coronavirus-related precautionary measures will be boosted to contain the surging cases in these governorates.

She added that measures of vaccinating the pilgrims have not been set yet, as the number of pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season has not been announced by the authorities concerned in Saudi Arabia so far.

Additional reporting by MENA