1,168 new coronavirus cases in Egypt on Saturday – ministry

Egypt’s health ministry reported on Saturday 1,168 new coronavirus infections, bringing the country’s total number of confirmed cases to 63,923 since the detection of the first case on 14 February.

Health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said in a statement that the new cases were detected through the ministry’s investigation and contact tracing protocols.

The statement added that the total number of COVID-19 deaths has now reached 2,708 nationwide, after announcing 88 deaths today.

Megahed also said that 403 patients have fully recovered and left isolation hospitals on Saturday, which brings the total number of recoveries from the virus so far to 17,140 cases.

The number of people whose test results have turned from positive to negative, including the full recoveries, has now reached 18,658.

A wide range of restrictions, most in place since March, were lifted starting today as part of a government move to reopen the economy.

Restaurants, cafes, and sporting clubs across the country are now allowed to open to the public, albeit under new hygiene and safety restrictions.

Mosques are also allowed to host services except for Friday congregational prayers.

A nighttime curfew was also lifted starting Saturday.