Egypt reports 208 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths

CAIRO- 8 November 2020: Egypt's Health Ministry said Saturday that 208 new coronavirus cases were detected over the past 24 hours, upping the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in the country began to 108,962.

In a statement, Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said 12 patients died from the virus over the same period, raising the death toll to 6,355.

As many as 133 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 100, 239 so far, the spokesman said.

Minister of Health Hala Zayed called upon the Egyptian voters, who headed since Saturday morning to cast their ballots in the 2nd phase of the 2020 House of Representatives election, to adhere to the protective measures against the COVID-19 disease. She announced that all the governmental hospitals announced a state of emergency amid the election.

Egypt is participating in the international efforts to find a vaccine for coronavirus  along with another three Arab countries, UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan. The share of Egypt is planned to be 6,000 volunteers.

Zayed pointed out that the volunteer will receive the vaccine in two times separated by 21 days, and he/she shall be under monitor for a year.

The minister of health added that each the personal information and the medical history of each volunteer will be recorded, the volunteer will receive a full brief on the clinical trial after being tested to check if he/she meets the requirements of the clinical trial.

Egyptian Cabinet’s Spokesperson Nader Saad revealed on Tuesday in several TV statements that the government is about to take a number of strict decisions in the context of its fight against the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

The decisions come as the infection rates recorded are increasing on a daily basis, which required a firm interference to protect citizens as a second wave has forced some European countries to lockdown again.

A top of the decisions expected to be announced Wednesday is a L.E. 4,000 fine against any citizen not wearing a mask in closed places.

The decisions further include increasing the amount of flu vaccine available for public from 500,000 syringes to 2.5 million shots, in addition to closing any schools for 28 days if recorded infection cases.

For cafés and restaurants, there will be inspection campaigns to ensure all precautionary measures are applied, while determining closure time for them that have one hour difference between summer and winter seasons.

Restaurants will close its doors at 12 p.m. in winter, while extend by an hour during summer.

All medicines and medical supplies should be provided in large quantities at hospitals and pharmacies.

There will be more flexibility when dealing with shops and restaurants in tourist governorates regarding closing times.