The Ministry of Interior is continuing its disinfection and sterilisation efforts at prisons across Egypt as part of continued precautionary measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the measures have been put in place to ensure a safe environment is provided for inmates.

It added that the disinfection and sterilisation includes all prison facilities, including wards, visiting areas, kitchens, libraries, hospitals and clinics.

The ministry also said that it has undertaken tests on inmates to detect any coronavirus infections, adding that it is providing them with face masks and disinfectant products.

Furthermore, it said it has provided prisons with electronic sterilisation gates and equipment to measure body temperature. 

Also on Monday, the Ministry of Interior announced that testing had been conducted on all those who had been in direct contact with a deceased civil servant employed at Tora Prison. Although the late employee had tested positive for the virus, the ministry confirmed that all those who were in direct contact with the employee before his death have themselves tested negative.

The ministry said it had conducted medical tests for those in contact with the employee
prior to his death and sterilised the employee’s offices. The move came despite his being on official leave since 17 May, and was undertaken to ensure their safety.

On Saturday, the ministry dismissed social media reports that said a civil servant at Tora Prison had died from the virus. The ministry emphasised that the employee had been off work for 14 days to undertake treatment for an unrelated chronic illness.

It added that the employee had undertaken a PCR test at the Imbaba Fever Hospital during his official leave. He died before receiving his results, which showed that he had tested positive for the virus. The ministry said that the cause of death has yet to be determined.

The Ministry of Interior asserted that it is taking all the necessary precautionary measures to avoid infections at all prison sector installations, and that it conducts regular tests to ensure inmates and worker safety. 

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