Daily COVID-19 roundup: July 6

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Here are the latest figures on COVID-19 as of Sunday, July 5:

Public figures mourn death of noted actor Ragaa al-Giddawy

Prominent actor Ragaa al-Giddawy died early on Sunday morning, after a month-long struggle with COVID-19. Over the course of the day, many high-profile figures reacted to news of her death. Egypt’s First Lady Intissar al-Sisi eulogized Giddawy, saying she “left a large repertoire of dignified and honest works which will remain in our being and memory forever.” Fellow actors also paid tribute to Giddawy, with Yosra saying we’ll never see someone like Giddawy again, and that Giddawy’s last words to her were, “I was born in Ismalia and it seems I will die here.” TV host and media magnate Amr Adib, who co-hosted a segment of his show with the celebrated actress, stated that Ragaa “was a fountain of kindness who had great energy and was loving.” Adib also added, “I owe much to Ragaa, over 20 years she has taught me a lot and helped me grow.” 

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What were officials saying about COVID-19 on Tuesday?

“For the first phase, we will need centers for gathering [plasma] that follow international standards in order to be able to export the final products [plasma derivatives], then we would need to establish a factory for that purpose,” — PM Mostafa Madbuly

“Six centers for gathering plasma have been established, four of which are ready to be equipped. The project is done in partnership with the Arab Co. For Drugs Industries & Medical Appliances and another international company which will help establish a total of 12 centers,” —Health Minister Hala Zayed

“Egypt’s share of the most prominent COVID-19 vaccine in trials has been secured through the Gavi vaccine alliance,” —Egyptian Drug Authority head Tamer Essam

To follow-up on the government’s project to gather plasma and manufacture its derivatives, Madbuly met with Health Minister Hala Zayed, Planning Minister Hala al-Saeed and chair of the new Unified Procurement Authority Bahaa Eddin Zidan on Sunday. “The industry is promising” and “Sisi is overseeing this issue,” said Madbuly in the meeting, according to Hapi Journal. The sovereign wealth fund will also be a significant partner to the project, for which a piece of land has been allocated to build a factory. Strategic production of medical supplies has become a spending priority in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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“The Supreme State Security Prosecution has decided to keep Dr. Ahmed Safwat, a Doctors Syndicate member, in remand detention for 15 days pending investigations into charges of publishing false news” — Dr. Ibrahim al-Zayyat, member of the Doctors Syndicate Council

Now that at least seven doctors are being held in detention for commenting on the coronavirus via social media, Doctors Syndicate Council member Dr. Ibrahim al-Zayyat shared some details of the legal pretext for their imprisonment.

Zayyat said there are two ongoing cases: Case 558/2020, brought against Dr. Mohamed al-Fawal, Dr. Alaa Shaaban, Dr. Hani Bakr and Dr. Ahmed Sabra, and Case 535/2020 brought against Dr. Ahmed Safwat, Dr. Mohamed Hamed and Dr. Ibrahim Bedeiwy.

Fawal, who is from Sharqiya, was arrested after he denounced a statement in which the prime minister had suggested doctors’ negligence had played a role in the high coronavirus death rate in Egypt. 

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“Not a single pound of this sum [recent deduction in wages] will go to the state treasury; it will be in the benefit of a [COVID-19 emergency fund], with the aim of spending in cases of diseases and epidemics, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic,”—Finance Minister Mohamed Maiet

“LE130 billion of state revenues were lost in three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also resulted in postponing state plans for raising wages and pensions,”—Maiet

“Coronavirus isn’t over yet,” —Chairman of Al-Dostour newspaper, Mohamed al-Baz

“Everyone supported the poor in March and April because of COVID-19, but this aid completely stopped in recent days,” —Baz

 “The role of businessmen in the coronavirus crisis is questionable,”— Baz 

During his address to Parliament on Sunday, Maiet discussed the rationale behind introducing a bill for the “cooperative fund to combat some economic repercussions resulting from the outbreak of epidemics or the occurrence of natural disasters,’ reported Al-Mal. The bill, which Parliament approved on Sunday, introduces a 1 percent reduction in wages from both the private and public sectors as well as 0.5 percent of pensions, to be used in financing the government response to the crisis.

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Hospitals capacity and patient care

• Two liver failure patients have died after their scheduled transplants at the National Liver Institute were delayed after the facility was designated a COVID-19 isolation hospital, according to Mahmoud Talaat, a medical team coordinator at the institute, cited in Cairo24. A total of 16 patients were scheduled for surgery right before the institute was converted. “The liver failure patients do not have the time to wait for surgery, not only in terms of the expenses incurred but also in terms of their health condition.”
   
• In another report, Cairo24, interviews patients with chronic illnesses and the families of those who died after failing to receive treatment because of the COVID-19 crisis. Fever hospitals, social hospitals, and specialized heart, liver and diabetes hospitals have all been turned into isolation hospitals for COVID-19 across the country, the report cites official Health Ministry data. Bearing the brunt of it are chronic illness patients, such as people who need dialysis on a regular basis and cancer patients who need chemo and radiotherapy.
   
• A medical team in Qena was able to save the life of a COVID-19 patient through surgery in Qena. The unusual treatment for the virus infection targeted the complications, which included a ruptured appendix

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Coexistence with COVID-19

• Any kindergarten where a child or member of staff contracts COVID-19 will be closed for at least one week, said Social Solidarity Ministry spokesperson Mohamed al-Akaby on Sunday after nurseries opened on July 1. Akaby added that the nurseries will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity, while a staff member trained on the preventive measures for COVID-19 must be on site.
  
• A decrease in birth rates could be coming, said Deputy Health Minister for Population Affairs Dr. Tarek Tawfiq, citing people’s fears of being made redundant in the wake of the pandemic as justification. Tawfiq said the difficulty in getting hold of contraceptives and the economic hardship faced by poorer families may push some to try to have more children to increase household income
  
• Making the polar opposite claim, the Health Ministry has called for a concerted effort to prevent a surge in the birth rate. The ministry launched the First Thousand Days program at the end of June to dissuade people from having children during the pandemic
• While the Health Ministry hadn’t done a whole lot to help women “postpone pregnancy,” a new initiative with Canada could look “to involve men in family planning” more. The plan, which the president signed off on Sunday, would see Canada work with Egypt to address gaps in reproductive rights, noting the different kinds available, and the difficulty in accessing contraceptives
  
• Elsewhere, 190,013 technical diploma students began their final exams yesterday, with two students taken to hospital for displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
  
• Drugs Authority head Dr. Tamer Essam presented Prime Minister Mostafa Madbuly with the latest updates on the clinical trials for potential vaccines being developed worldwide. Egypt has joined Bill Gates’ Vaccine Alliance, said Essam, in the hope of securing access to the vaccine, should it materialize.

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Who cares for healthcare workers? 

• A nursing supervisor in Maghagha Central Hospital in Minya has died after contracting COVID-19 at work, Cairo24 reports. The nurse had volunteered to wash the body of a COVID-19 victim.
• Building owners and residents filed a complaint against a doctor who receives COVID-19 patients in a beauty salon he rents in their building, and in violation of precautionary measures, as he puts them in danger of contagion. Cairo24 released a video that showed medical waste and coffins being moved in violation of precautionary regulations.

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Working with COVID-19 

“Raafat thanked President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for allocating the 500-pound grant for irregular employment, but, according to him, it will not suffice for a whole family.”

Mohamed Rafaat, who works in setting up sites for funerals, spoke to Al-Nahar television host Mohamed al-Baz, saying that millions of people who work in his profession have been severely affected by the pandemic including indirect jobs such as sound professionals and service personnel. 

The Coptic Orthodox Church announced the death of a priest in Aswan from COVID-19. Gerges Sedman was a priest in the St. George church in Edfo and died only 133 days after taking his post, reported Masrawy. The 38-year-old man was diagnosed on June 17.