Egypt’s Health Ministry on Tuesday confirmed 1,140 new coronavirus cases, down from 1,149 on Monday. The ministry also reported 49 deaths and 987 recovered cases.
There have now been a total of 254,984 confirmed cases, 14,766 deaths, and 187,446 recovered cases in the country.
In response to climbing case numbers, the Egyptian cabinet has announced that from May 6 until the end of the month, all restaurants, cafés, shops, and malls must close at 9 pm to prevent further spread of the virus.
Cairo, Giza, Fayoum, Minya, and Sohag are the five governorates with the highest infection rates, according to Health Minister Hala Zayed.
Doctors and officials have warned the public to abide by coronavirus precautionary measures, stating that social distancing is just as important as wearing a mask.
The Health Ministry has denied rumors that the mutated strain of the virus found in India has made its way to Egypt, stressing that security at all entry ports is on high alert for possible cases.
Egypt’s vaccination campaign that began in January is still working to vaccinate medical staff, people over the age of 65, and those with chronic illnesses, but registration for the jab on the ministry’s website is open to all.
The ministry reported in mid-May that it has vaccinated 1.3 million people so far.
Egypt is currently using China’s Sinopharm vaccine and the UK’s AstraOxford vaccine, but will soon locally manufacture China’s Sinovac vaccine and Russia’s Sputnik-V.
