Egypt's 1-day coronavirus infections hits new high

Egypt's 1-day coronavirus infections hits new high
The figures announced on Saturday raise Egypt’s coronavirus totals to 1,484 deaths and 42,980 confirmed cases.
2 min read
Egypt has the highest death rate from Covid-19 among Arab nations [Getty]

Egypt’s Health Ministry has announced 1,677 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus — the highest 24-hour infection total since the virus was first detected in the country in mid-February.

The ministry also reported 62 deaths from Covid-19, the disease that can be caused by the virus.

The figures announced on Saturday raise Egypt’s coronavirus totals to 1,484 deaths and 42,980 confirmed cases. The ministry says 11,529 patients have been discharged from quarantine after their recovery.

Egypt is the Arab world’s most populous country and it has the highest death rate from Covid-19 among Arab nations. It ranks third in the Middle East after Iran and Turkey.

Despite rapidly increasing infections, Egypt will also shorten its curfew hours slightly, enforcing it from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., starting Sunday and until the end of the month.

Hotels that implement social distancing rules and other precautionary measures began to reopen to domestic tourists last month.

Egypt’s economy depends heavily on tourism, which accounts for some 12% of the gross domestic product. The government fears a prolonged lockdown could be devastating economically, as the grounded international flights and empty hotels have taken a heavy toll.

Egypt has secured a $2.8 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, and last week reached an agreement with the IMF on another $5.2 billion loan to stave off the pandemic’s worst economic effects.

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