The Egyptian government on Monday announced the launch of a drive-through coronavirus testing service, which will take swabs and samples using a mobile testing unit.
The service will be provided by Egyptian firm Prime Speed for Medical Services, in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and reference laboratories at Egyptian universities.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly is expected to inaugurate the first center providing this service at Ain Shams University on Monday. Egypt will be the first African country, and among the first countries in the world, to provide this service.
Chairperson of Prime Speed Tamer Wagih praised the role of the government and of Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar for establishing the first center of its kind in Egypt, to serve a large segment of citizens and to provide an opportunity for testing and reassurance to all who desire it.
Wagih explained that the new service includes three types of analyses. First is the nasal swab and analysis using a PCR analysis device recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration. Second is the rapid testing for coronavirus antibodies using a drop of blood. The third type is full blood analysis.
Wagih added that his company is ready if needed to open 100 service centers across Egypt, to receive samples using mobile units, which will then be sent for analysis in the reference laboratories of university hospitals.
Egypt on Sunday confirmed 1,618 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s number of confirmed total cases so far to 44,598. The total number of COVID-19 deaths has now reached 1,575 nationwide, after announcing 91 more deaths.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
