Egypt shuts main cancer centre after 15 medics test positive for coronavirus

The National Cancer Institute, Egypt’s main tumor treatment centre, has been closed for disinfection for three days after at least 15 medics tested positive for the coronavirus.

Around three doctors and 12 nurses were infected with the flu-like virus, raising fears the pandemic could prey on health facilities in the Arab world’s most populous country.

Dr. Hatem Abu el-Kassem, the director of the National Cancer Institute, said all other health workers at the facility, which treats hundreds of cancer patients every day, would be tested.

The institute has been partly closed on Thursday for three days, with only the emergency ward remaining open.

Egypt reported on Friday 120 new coronavirus cases and 8 new fatalities, the highest daily increase in infections and deaths so far.

To date, the total number of virus cases has reached 985 nationwide, while the death toll stands at 66.