Egypt reports 298 new coronavirus cases, and 9 deaths

Egypt on Saturday confirmed 298 new coronavirus cases, bringing its overall nationwide tally to 6,193, according to a health ministry statement.

The ministry also reported 9 new deaths, taking the tally of virus fatalities to 415. But 62 more patients recovered, for a total of 1,522 recoveries, the statement added.

Egyptian Minister of Health Hala Zayed told MBC Masr satellite channel on Friday that the recent surge in the number of coronavirus cases was still within expected levels, and was due to people’s behaviour outside curfew hours, especially during the two weeks before the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the minister, people’s visits to markets fell by 40 percent after the crisis first emerged. However, during the two weeks before Ramadan, people frequented markets only 11 percent less than normal, which means that people were going out more.