Cairo, Alexandria, Gharbiya and Luxor record highest coronavirus infection rates, minister

The Egyptian governorates of Cairo, Alexandria, Gharbiya, and Luxor are seeing the highest rates of coronavirus infections in the country, said health minister Hala Zayed on Wednesday.

During a cabinet meeting, Zayed presented a report that shows the governorates with moderate infections rates, such as Menoufiya, Sohag, and Aswan. South Sinai, Minya, Suez, and Ismailia saw a drop in infection rates.

Zayed discussed the procedures Egypt is taking to obtain the coronavirus vaccine, and presented the position of global research vaccines, noting that there are currently 217 vaccines, 63 of which are in clinical trials.

The health minister expressed the direct effect of the pandemic on global and national tourism, and highlighted the joint statement between the World Tourism Organisation and the World Health Organisation that emphasised the importance of cooperation between the health and tourism sectors and the significance of sharing updated reliable information, both for tourists and the tourism sector.

Concerning Egypt’s global positions in travel and tourism, Egypt is among the list of 100 safe destinations around the world post-coronavirus, according to Zayed.

The list includes countries that have adopted universally standardised protocols and demonstrated their commitment to health measures, so they were allowed to reopen tourist attractions.

The resumption of activities nationwide attests to the Egyptian government’s successful management of the crisis, she said, in comparison with other countries in the region and globally that continue to halt public activities.

On Tuesday, Egypt reported 361 new coronavirus cases and 13 virus-related deaths, bringing the total infections to 113,742 cases, and 6,573 deaths.