Egypt's COVID-19 Recent Happenings and Perspectives: A Mini-Review

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected countries across the world. While the zoonotic aspects of SARS-CoV-2 are still under investigation, bats and pangolins are currently cited as the animal origin of the virus. Several types of vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed and are being used in vaccination drives across the world. A number of countries are experiencing second and third waves of the pandemic, which have claimed nearly four million lives out of the 180 million people infected globally as of June 2021. The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and mutants are posing high public health concerns owing to their rapid transmissibility, higher severity, and in some cases, ability to infect vaccinated people (vaccine breakthrough). Here in this mini-review, we specifically looked at the efforts and actions of the Egyptian government to slow down and control the spread of COVID-19. We also review the COVID-19 statistics in Egypt and the possible reasons behind the low prevalence and high case fatality rate (CFR%), comparing Egypt COVID-19 statistics with China (the epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic) and the USA, Brazil, India, Italy, and France (the first countries in which the numbers of patients infected with COVID-19). Additionally, we have summarized the SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccines used in Egypt, and the use of medicinal plants as preventive and curative options.

Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae as a Respiratory Medicine: Is There a Potential Drug in the Treatment of COVID-19?

“…COVID-19 cases have different types such as mild, moderate, severe, and critical cases ( Saied et al, 2021 ). However, there are many COVID-19 patients who tested positive on the RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 but with no typical clinical symptoms or signs ( Wu et al, 2020e ; Schuetz et al, 2020 ; Torres et al, 2021 ).…”

A Network Dynamics Model for the Transmission of COVID-19 in Diamond Princess and a Response to Reopen Large-Scale Public Facilities

“…Especially in large-scale public facilities such as transportation and entertainment venues that are essential for public normal life, local outbreaks are more likely to occur. In the early stages of the epidemic, most countries chose to ban the gathering of large groups, close large supermarkets and schools, and reduce the number of flights and cruises to avoid the spread of the virus [ 7 , 8 ]. However, as schools, factories, and the like gradually open up, these strict prevention and control measures have become a challenge for public health.…”

Determinants of Obtaining COVID-19 Vaccination among Health Care Workers with Access to Free COVID-19 Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In 2018, the median age of the population reached 23.9 years. Based on 2017 estimates, there are about 37.6% between 25-54 years of age (the working age) [1], with the presence of about 100,000 doctors and 132,000 nurses working in governmental hospitals all over Egypt [2]. However, the CFR percentage in Egypt (5.92%), and, as Dr. Hala Zayed, the Minister of Health and Population, confessed, the COVID-19 infection rate among the Egyptians is much more than what the government has quantified.…”

“…As of March 2021, Egypt has started COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. The country aims to vaccinate 40% of its population against COVID-19 by the end of 2021 [1].…”