The cases came amid reports that some Egyptian churches had violated the decision to close all churches, stop ritual services, masses, and activities, and limit any funeral to the family of the deceased only.

These violations are believed to have led to the high number of cases of coronavirus among the church's clergy, The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported. Copts make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 100 million.


Meanwhile, the first case of coronavirus was recorded in Egypt's North Sinai Governorate, months after the virus entered the country.

The marginalised governorate, on which Egypt maintains a tight military blockade that has long prevented independent observers, journalists and non-residents from entering the province, had remained coronavirus free for months.

Egypt's North Sinai province is home to the country's IS affiliate, Wilayat Sinai, and other extremist militants who have been engaged in a bloody insurgency against the state since 2011.

Read more: Coronavirus free, Egyptians in North Sinai see military blockade as a blessing for first time

When local militants intensified their attacks after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's rise to power in a 2013 coup, the regime escalated its counter-insurgency in a scorched earth campaign that has seen Egypt accused of "serious and widespread abuses" against civilians.

Egypt's army said on Thursday that 10 soldiers were either killed or wounded in a blast targeting an armoured vehicle in the restive region.