Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population on Tuesday reported 279 new coronavirus cases, nine deaths, and 763 recoveries.
A total of 288,441 cases have been reported in Egypt, alongside 16,736 deaths and 239,343 recoveries.
Daily figures indicate that cases are beginning to steadily rise, and officials have warned that a fourth wave of the virus is likely to grip the country again.
The Advisor to the Health and Population Minister for Research and Health Development Noha Asem said on Monday that the increased infections are a result of citizens’ failure to adhere to precautionary measures.
Health Minister Hala Zayed announced last week that Egypt’s first case of the fast-spreading delta variant was detected in mid-July.
In June, Egypt’s Supreme Committee for the Management of Coronavirus Crisis lifted some COVID-19 restrictions, including a nine pm business curfew that had been in place since early May.
The committee, headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, agreed that restaurants, cafes, shops, and malls may return to summer working hours. Businesses may now also operate at 75 percent capacity.
However, there are still rules in place.
Any facility that violates summer hours will receive a fine and be subject to close for two weeks. Repeat violators will be shut down for a month, the committee warned.
Furthermore, restaurants and cafes may not serve shisha (hookah), religious celebrations are banned, and weddings must be held in open areas.
As of August 30, World Health Organization data states that 8.7 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Egypt, which has a population of 104 million.
The Health Ministry is currently working to issue QR-coded vaccination certificates for Egyptians and foreigners that receive their doses in the country.
According to the ministry, the local certificate costs LE100 for Egyptians and US$10 for non-Egyptians
