Egypt’s health ministry recorded on Thursday its highest daily death toll from the novel coronavirus with 15 fatalities, six cases more than the previous highest daily death toll recorded on 21 March and 8 April, and bringing the total number of those who succumbed to the respiratory illness to 118.

The ministry also registered 139 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases so far to 1,699.

The fatalities included 14 Egyptians and one foreigner, according to ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed.

The newly detected cases are all Egyptians, and they are receiving treatment in quarantine hospitals as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

The statement added that 43 more patients – one foreigner among them – fully recovered and left hospital on Thursday.

The number of cases who have re-tested negative has reached 468, of whom 348 have recovered and left hospital.

Egypt extended a nationwide night-time curfew by two weeks on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.

The country also extended other preventative measures, including the closure of schools and universities and the suspension of international flights.

In a televised press briefing on Wednesday, the prime minister said the current infection count in Egypt is in line with the government’s projections.

He predicted an increase in the number of new cases over the coming two or three weeks.

Short link:

