The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population confirmed on Thursday 1,219 new coronavirus cases, up from 1,007 on Wednesday.
The ministry also announced 42 virus-related deaths and 800 recovering cases.
Egypt has now recorded a total of 146,809 confirmed cases, 116,775 recovered cases, and 8,029 virus-related deaths.
The country has officially entered the second wave of the pandemic, after cases rose steadily throughout November and December.
Government officials continue to urge the public to adhere to precautionary measures against the virus, and the Egyptian Cabinet has called on authorities to strictly enforce the country’s mask mandate, which applies to all public transportation and indoor public spaces.
The education and higher education ministries ordered schools and universities to switch back to online learning as of January 2 due to the surge in cases.
In-person classes are expected to resume February 10.
Additionally, the Egyptian government and transportation authorities launched on Sunday a campaign to issue an immediate fine of LE50 to all unmasked shoppers and public transit riders.
Restaurants and cafes that break the government’s 50 percent occupancy limit will also receive an immediate fine of LE4,000 and be subject to a one-week closure.
A viral video showing medical staff struggling to keep COVID-19 patients alive in a public Egyptian hospital suggests that hospitals in Egypt are overwhelmed and running low on medical supplies, specifically oxygen.
The country’s Health Ministry quickly denied the allegations from the video, and local health authorities launched an investigation into the deaths.
IMAGE: Egyptians shop at a street market in Cairo with very few wearing face masks. REUTERS
