Egypt’s COVID-19 Cases Stabilize as Country Readies for Eid

Egyptians gather in front of the Central Public Health Laboratories in downtown Cairo as they wait to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 8, 2020. AFP
Egyptians gather in front of the Central Public Health Laboratories in downtown Cairo as they wait to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 8, 2020. AFP
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Egypt’s COVID-19 Cases Stabilize as Country Readies for Eid

Egyptians gather in front of the Central Public Health Laboratories in downtown Cairo as they wait to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 8, 2020. AFP
Egyptians gather in front of the Central Public Health Laboratories in downtown Cairo as they wait to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 8, 2020. AFP

The Egyptian authorities called on residents to respect precautionary measures during celebrations of Eid Al-Adha as the country's coronavirus cases witnessed a steady decline in the past few days.

On Tuesday, the Egyptian Health Ministry reported 50 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 4,352.

The Ministry said in a statement that 627 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed, raising the total cases registered in the country to 88,402.

In a move to confront the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population signed a cooperation protocol with the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and Banque Misr to support the health sector with LE 60 million.

Ministry spokesperson Khaled Mujahid said the money will be allocated to purchase a number of CT scans, for the benefit of hospitals designated to receive suspected cases of the novel coronavirus.

Also, the Health Ministry welcomed Parliament’s approval of amendments that increase allowance for medical professionals.

Meanwhile, EgyptAir announced Tuesday it will raise the number of its international destinations to 35 starting August, while increasing domestic trips to stimulate local tourism such as by transporting holiday-makers eager to enjoy the coming Eid holiday, announced the carrier’s chairman Roshdy Zakaria.

This came as the education ministry announced that Egypt's 2020/2021 school year will start on October 17.

However, no decision has yet been taken if students will return to classrooms full-time.



Lebanese Military Calls for Calm

A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)
A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)
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Lebanese Military Calls for Calm

A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)
A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)

In its first statement since the recent escalation with Israel and following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanon's military called for calm among the Lebanese “at this dangerous and delicate stage."
Government officials fear that the country’s deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence in the small Mediterranean country.
“The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese,” the military said.
Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital as thousands of displaced people continue moving from the south to Beirut.
An Israeli airstrike on northeast Lebanon killed 11 people Sunday morning, a day after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of multiple commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The Israeli army says it's carrying out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the number of those displaced by the conflict from southern Lebanon has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.
Hezbollah and Israel have traded near-daily strikes since the Israel-Hama s war started after the Palestinian militant group stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, sparking fears of regional war.