Giza record of COVID-19 infections ‘high’: Governor

CAIRO – 24 May 2020: Giza governorate records high number of infections with COVID-19, said Governor of Giza Ahmed Rashid, demanding citizens to abide by precautionary measures to reduce the figure.

“The number of infections with Coronavirus is high, but there are strict measures to make sure citizens stay homes and to adhere to the measures announced by the state to record the least number of infections during Eid al-Fitr vacation.

Governor Rashid made his statements during a tour he paid to inspect security situation and measures to prevent gatherings during the Eid holiday.

The governorate temporarily closed roads leading to cemeteries, where people usually visit their belated beloved ones during vacations, in a bid to reduce gatherings, except for burial cases. The closure is effective as of Sunday and until the end of Friday.

A total number of 727 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Egypt on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to 16513, the Health Ministry said in its daily briefing on Saturday.

The ministry also reported 28 deaths due to the novel virus, bringing the total number to 735.

On May 14, Egypt released a coexistence plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic over the coming period. The government highlights the importance of abiding by precautionary measures while preparing to gradually resume the normal life cycle.

The plan comes as a bid to reduce the number of infections and deaths, achieve a balance between maintaining a normal life cycle and abiding by the precautionary measures, to get rid of the negative psychological effects of the outbreak, and to avoid crowds resulting from services like transportation and shopping.

Cinemas, theaters, cafes, fitness halls, and sports clubs should remain closed during the period of coexisting with the coronavirus in light of the first phase of the ministry’s plan to cope with the virus set to start at the beginning of June.

The ministry also recommended keeping the ban on weddings and funerals and suspending universities, schools, kindergartens, and nurseries.