Coronavirus cases across Egypt continue to surge, with the Health Ministry on Thursday confirming 1,078 new cases, 62 deaths, and 432 recovered cases.
The country has now reported 230,713 confirmed cases, 172,774 recovered cases, and 13,531 deaths.
Cairo, Giza, Fayoum, Minya, and Sohag are the five governorates with the highest infection rates, Health Minister Hala Zayed said last Wednesday.
Despite the ministry reporting a 75.5 percent increase in recovery rates, doctors and officials have warned the public to abide by coronavirus precautionary measures during the holy month of Ramadan, stating that social distancing is just as important as wearing a mask.
Egypt has banned Tahajjud prayers (night prayers) within mosques, their annexes, and their surroundings, only allowing Tarawih prayers.
Meanwhile, the virus continues to wreak havoc on business and tourism, with Alexandria reporting a meager 15 percent hotel occupancy rate. Additionally, 15 percent of the city’s restaurants have closed as a result of the pandemic.
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 is open to all.
Egypt is currently using China’s Sinopharm vaccine and the UK’s AstraOxford vaccine. The Ministry of Health announced last week that it will soon begin producing Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s Sinovac vaccines at Vacsera.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi himself has received the coronavirus vaccine to assure the public of its safety and efficiency.
