CAIRO - 8 March 2020: The US Embassy in Cairo stated that it is in contact with the Egyptian Government concerning the US nationals who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) on Upper Egypt’s Nile cruise.
The embassy said on its official Twitter account that they have been notified that some of the cases infected with coronavirus on board of the cruise are US nationals, announcing that it is providing them assistance in cooperation with the Egyptian Government.
In a press conference held at the Cabinet's headquarters on Saturday evening, Egyptian Minister of Health Hala Zayed said that 33 people, including 19 tourists, tested positive for coronavirus on board of the Nile cruise, while 11 others tested negative.
The minister added that a total of 250,000 devices to detect coronavirus will be imported and placed at all airports nationwide.
Two days ago, the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization confirmed 12 infected cases with the new virus on board the Nile cruise ship in Upper Egypt. The 12 staff members did not show any symptoms, according to the statement.
"The first case was a foreigner," the minister said, adding that he received excellent medical care and was diagnosed by PCR under the supervision of the ministry and WHO. "The result was negative each time and he left the quarantine," the minister noted.
"The second case was also a foreigner, who was immediately quarantined in the designated hospital," Zayed said. She added that he is receiving medical care, and his condition is stable and constantly improving. "Quarantine measures have also been applied on all employees at his workplace and their assisting bodies, including more than 2,500 people, as a precautionary measure," she said.
Sun, Mar. 8, 2020
