Egypt reports 1,774 new coronavirus cases on Friday – ministry

Egypt reported 1,774 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total infection tally to 52,211 since the outbreak began in mid-February, the health ministry announced.

The ministry also reported 79 new deaths, bringing the total deaths from the virus to 2,017, Ahram Online reported.

The statement said that 400 new patients have been discharged, bringing the total number of recoveries to 13,928.

Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said in the statement that the number of people who have rested negative, including the 13,928 recoveries, has now reached 15,373.

Megahed said Cairo, Giza and Qalioubiya have the highest infection rates in the country, while the Red Sea, Matrouh and South Sinai have the lowest.

Friday’s toll comes one day after Egypt’s infection tally surpassed 50,000.

The steady increase in cases comes despite restrictions, including a nighttime curfew and a suspension of international flights, since March.

The curfew was first introduced in March as part of a series of measures to curtail the spread of the virus and has been extended several times since. Other measures implemented include suspending air traffic, shuttering schools and universities, closing mosques and churches and banning public gatherings.

Many of these restrictions are now in the process of being revised, as the government calls on the country to “coexist” with the virus.