Egypt’s Health Ministry on Tuesday confirmed 1,160 new coronavirus cases, down from 1,169 the day before. The minstry also reported 57 deaths and 1,003 recovered cases.
The country has now reported a total of 248,078 cases, 14,498 deaths, and 183,696 recoveries.
In response to climbing case numbers, the Egyptian cabinet has announced that from May 6 to 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 Head of the Ministry of Health’s Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus Hossam Hosny, stressed that the authorities are taking strict measures to prevent the arrival of the Indian virus variant to Egypt.
During phone interview on Friday with al-Oula channel of the state-TV, Hosny said that all Egyptian ports are at high-alert to prevent the entry of anyone suspected to carry the Indian coronavirus strain.
The Indian strain is severe, has a high mortality rate, and is resistant to vaccines, he warned.
The ministry’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.
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.
