Egypt confirms 1,168 new COVID-19 infections, 88 deaths

By Xinhua Published: Jun 28, 2020 09:09 AM

A worker sprays disinfectant on a street in Cairo, Egypt, on June 27, 2020. Egypt reported 1,168 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total infections to 63,923, according to Egyptian health ministry. On Saturday, the Egyptian government lifted a partial nighttime curfew that has been imposed in the country for three months. The decision includes reopening restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas with 25 percent of their capacity, while public beaches and parks will remain closed. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Egypt reported 1,168 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total infections to 63,923, according to Egyptian health ministry.

Egypt registered 88 more fatalities from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll in the country to 2,708, the ministry's spokesman Khaled Megahed said in a statement.

The total recoveries in the North African country increased to 17,140 after 403 new recoveries were added Saturday, he said.

A vendor wearing a face mask sells watermelons in Cairo, Egypt, on June 27, 2020. Egypt reported 1,168 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total infections to 63,923, according to Egyptian health ministry. On Saturday, the Egyptian government lifted a partial nighttime curfew that has been imposed in the country for three months. The decision includes reopening restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas with 25 percent of their capacity, while public beaches and parks will remain closed. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Megahed reiterated that all COVID-19 cases in Egypt receive necessary medical care "in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization."

Egypt announced its first confirmed COVID-19 case on Feb. 14 and the first death from the respiratory disease on March 8.

On Saturday, the Egyptian government lifted a partial nighttime curfew that has been imposed in the country for three months, amid a coexistence plan to maintain anti-coronavirus precautionary measures while resuming economic activities.

People are seen at a cafe in Cairo, Egypt, on June 27, 2020. Egypt reported 1,168 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total infections to 63,923, according to Egyptian health ministry. On Saturday, the Egyptian government lifted a partial nighttime curfew that has been imposed in the country for three months. The decision includes reopening restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas with 25 percent of their capacity, while public beaches and parks will remain closed. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

The decision includes reopening restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas with 25 percent of their capacity, while public beaches and parks will remain closed.

Mosques and churches will also be reopened for daily prayers but weekly mass prayers will remain suspended.

Egypt is expected to resume international flights from July 1 as the country prepares for the return of foreign tourism, after more than three months of international flight suspension over COVID-19 concerns.

Egypt and China have been cooperating closely in fighting the pandemic through exchanging medical aid and expertise.

In early February, Egypt provided aid to China to help with its fight against COVID-19 and China later returned favor by sending three batches of medical aid to the North African country.

Since mid-April, Chinese doctors and medical experts have held three video conferences with Egyptian counterparts to share their experience in the prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus.

A waiter wearing a face mask and a shield works at a cafe in Cairo, Egypt, on June 27, 2020. Egypt reported 1,168 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total infections to 63,923, according to Egyptian health ministry. On Saturday, the Egyptian government lifted a partial nighttime curfew that has been imposed in the country for three months. The decision includes reopening restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas with 25 percent of their capacity, while public beaches and parks will remain closed. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)