Municipal workers dressed in protective gear rest while on duty disinfecting a street during the coronavirus pandemic in Algeria's capital Algiers. AFP
Municipal workers dressed in protective gear rest while on duty disinfecting a street during the coronavirus pandemic in Algeria's capital Algiers. AFP
Municipal workers dressed in protective gear rest while on duty disinfecting a street during the coronavirus pandemic in Algeria's capital Algiers. AFP
Municipal workers dressed in protective gear rest while on duty disinfecting a street during the coronavirus pandemic in Algeria's capital Algiers. AFP

Coronavirus: 99-year-old becomes Algeria's oldest patient to recover


Mina Aldroubi
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A 99-year-old man thought to be the oldest patient in Algeria to recover from Covid-19 was discharged from hospital late on Sunday.

The man, identified only as Massoud, spent two weeks under treatment at Bouira hospital, 100 kilometres east of the capital, Algiers.

"Massoud is in good health, he has fully recovered from the virus and was able to fight it despite his age," said Mohamed Al Ayeb, director of health in Bouira province.
Mr Massoud's two sons were admitted to the same hospital after being infected with the novel coronavirus.

"Ismail, 45, recovered from the virus, while his eldest son Abdel Salam, who was suffering from a chronic disease conditions, died this week,” Mr Al Ayeb said.

Algeria has more than 425 deaths from Covid-19, the highest toll in Africa. The latest death was of a 9-year-old girl.

There have been 3,382 confirmed cases and 1,508 recoveries in the country, according to the health ministry.

Algerian officials imposed strict measures to curb the spread of the virus at the beginning of the outbreak last month.

But authorities eased confinement measures from the first day of the holy month of Ramadan last Friday by shortening a night curfew and lifting a full lockdown for a province near Algiers.

Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad's office said the full lockdown in the Blida province south of Algiers would be replaced with a curfew from 2pm to 7am while a 3pm-7am curfew in nine other provinces, including Algiers, would be shortened to run from 5pm to 7am.

The government made no changes to the measures in the remaining provinces where a 7pm-7am curfew has been imposed for weeks.

“The government reiterates its call for citizens to remain vigilant,” the prime minister’s office said. “Changing or keeping the confinement measures will depend on the evolution of the epidemiological situation.”

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.