Egyptian Doctors Call for Full Lockdown in Letter to the Prime Minister

Two leading Egyptian doctors have called for the implementation of a complete lockdown in Egypt for two weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19, as the number of medical workers who have died from the virus reached 14.

Dr Hussein Khairy, President of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, and Dr Sherine Ghaleb, President of the Medical Syndicate in Cairo, penned a letter to Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urging a full nation-wide lockdown in response to the rising number of infections in Egypt.

According to the two doctors, a full lockdown would deal a swift, significant blow to the virus, adding that if no action is taken to curb the spread, there will be a massive surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. The two doctors added that this is needed to ‘flatten’ the curve.

In statements to Sada El Balad,  Dr Ghaleb said her and Dr Khairy had not received a response to the letter, which was sent to the Prime Minister two days ago. In separate statements to Masrawy, Dr Khairy said that while he does not claim to specialise in epidemiology, “general logic says, and also [his] logic as a doctor and from the experiences that we have seen in other countries” that the implementation of a full lockdown must be studied and considered.

Medical workers have been hard hit, with the Medical Syndicate announcing on Saturday that nine of its members had passed away after contracting the virus. Separately, the Nurses Syndicate announced on Saturday that five of its members have passed away.

More than 100 other medical workers across the country have been infected with the virus while performing their duties.

Virus Numbers Rising Rapidly

The past two days have seen a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 infections. On Saturday, Egypt’s Ministry of Health announced 488 new infections and 11 new deaths. A day earlier, the Ministry announced a record 495 new infections and 21 new deaths. Earlier in the week, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said that Egypt’s isolation hospitals had reached maximum capacity.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Health have blamed people’s behaviour for the continued spread of the virus, stating that social distancing is not being adequately exercised across the country. However, critics have also blamed the Egyptian government’s loosening of restrictions prior to Ramadan and the lack of enforcement.

Reports across Egypt show busy streets, large gatherings and open businesses, even during the limited hours of curfew, which currently last nine hours between 9PM and 6AM.

Despite the continued spread of the virus, the Egyptian government is already examining further loosening of restrictions, including permitting wider domestic travel and opening cinemas and theatres. At the same time, the government is expected to bring in other measures, such as the wearing of face masks in public, following the end of Ramadan.