While the Egyptian government blamed the increase in coronavirus infections on the lack of commitment to the government’s precautionary and medical measures, Egypt continues to repatriate all stranded nationals from several countries.
Authorities in Egypt said on Tuesday that a record high of 388 cases of COVID-19 infections was diagnosed in the previous 24 hours., while 98 patients recovered and checked out of the hospital.
Cabinet spokesperson Nader Saad said in televised statements on Tuesday that the increase in cases that have appeared this week can be attributed to two factors. The first, he said, is due to the overcrowding that occurred the week before the holy month of Ramadan. The second is the drop in commitment to the government’s precautionary and medical measures.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli ordered authorities to buy seasonal influenza vaccines by the beginning of next winter to prevent any potential shortage, during a cabinet meeting on efforts to fight the coronavirus.
Madbouli ordered authorities to speed up the manufacturing of protective face masks needed to confront the coronavirus, saying the government will coordinate with factories to allocate special production lines for the masks as soon as possible.
"The specifications of the reusable masks will be determined and approved by the relevant authorities," he added.
During the meeting, Health Minister Hala Zayed said that average daily calls received by the ministry's hotline designated for the coronavirus came in at 3,560 last week: 3,000 inquiries, 200 reports, and 450 complaints and suggestions.
Wednesday, the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration announced the arrival of 174 stranded Egyptians from Khartoum and Dar es Salaam and a total of 596 from Kuwait.
