Egypt detects 1,148 new coronavirus cases, 52 fatalities Friday

CAIRO - 22 May 2020: The Health Ministry said late Friday night that 1,148 new coronavirus cases were detected, upping the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in the country began to 251,539.

In a statement, Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said 52 patients have died from the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 14,611.

As many as 870 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 185,243 so far, the spokesman said.

The official gazette on Friday published Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli 's decision on extending precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus to stem a rise in the virus' infections.

Under the decision, all shops, restaurants and cafes should close at 9 pm, as well as clubs, gyms, cinemas and theaters.

The virus measures that will come into effect as of May 22 to May 31, include banning all artistic and cultural events, in addition to holding wedding parties and other social events only in the open air.

The ministerial decision allowed the re-opening of public beaches, parks and gardens, while taking all health precautions.