CAIRO — The first country to develop a treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 will win international recognition and likely profit financially as the novel coronavirus has been causing massive human casualties and economic losses since December 2019. Egypt appears to have joined the race for a cure, with Cairo University claiming April 6 to have developed a treatment protocol for the coronavirus that is now awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health and Population.

Mohammad al-Darouti, a professor of medicine at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor that the protocol is based on the use of two drugs available on the local market, saying it is expected to help curb mortality rates among COVID-19 patients as well as treatment expenses. He noted that once the Health Ministry approves the treatment, it can request approval from the World Health Organization.

Ahmed Kandeil, a professor of epidemiology of the National Research Center, told the press March 26 that the center is working to develop COVID-19 diagnostic devices as well as a vaccine.

On April 6, rumors circulated on social media that Egypt has discovered a treatment or vaccine that was a part of the medical aid delivered to Italy April 4. The rumors also claimed that the number of confirmed cases and deaths started lowering in Italy the next day. Similar claims circulated regarding China and Zayed’s visit there March 2.