Concerns over Possible Second Wave of Pandemic in Egypt

A man wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reads Al Joumhouria Newspaper on a street in downtown Cairo. Reuters file photo
A man wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reads Al Joumhouria Newspaper on a street in downtown Cairo. Reuters file photo
TT

Concerns over Possible Second Wave of Pandemic in Egypt

A man wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reads Al Joumhouria Newspaper on a street in downtown Cairo. Reuters file photo
A man wearing a protective face mask, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reads Al Joumhouria Newspaper on a street in downtown Cairo. Reuters file photo

Egypt’s coronavirus cases have dropped slightly despite concerns over a second wave of infections.

Officials have stressed that fighting the pandemic remains a top priority but that the people should respect social distancing measures.

Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population announced Tuesday that 1,109 people recovered from the coronavirus and were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 54,888.

It stated that 24 patients died and 168 new people tested positive for the COVID-19 disease, increasing the tally of registered cases in Egypt to 95,834 with 5,059 deaths.

The authorities have been demanding the people to wear masks in public and respect health ministers. In a related measure, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior has taken legal action against 1,198 public transport drivers for not wearing masks.

In another context, the Supreme Council of University Hospitals held a meeting to discuss efforts exerted by university hospitals to receive and treat COVID-19 patients.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar called for honoring hospital staff who have lost their lives from complications caused by COVID-19.

He also urged earmarking university hospitals with funds to treat coronavirus patients.

Abdel Ghaffar underscored the importance of conducting an assessment two weeks from now and taking necessary precautions for any possible wave of infections in the winter.

The ministry was ordered to prepare a plan to deal with the possible second wave by benefiting from the expertise of medical staff in various university hospitals in terms of dealing with patients and using treatment protocols.



Lebanon's PM Says Country to Begin Disarming South Litani to Ensure State Presence

President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
TT

Lebanon's PM Says Country to Begin Disarming South Litani to Ensure State Presence

President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday that the state will begin disarming southern Lebanon, particularly the south Litani region, to establish its presence across the country.
"We are in a new phase - in this new phase, we will start with south Lebanon and south Litani specifically in order to pull weapons so that the state can be present across Lebanese territory," Mikati said.

Mikati's remarks followed a meeting with newly elected President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace. Aoun was elected as the country's new head of state by parliament on Thursday, ending a vacancy in the presidency that had persisted for over two years.

In his address to parliament, Aoun pledged to control weapons outside the state's control, saying the government is the sole entity authorized to possess and use military force and weapons.
A ceasefire agreement that ended the 13-month-conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in November has given the Lebanese party 60 days to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces are also required to withdraw from the area over the same period.
The ceasefire agreement says Israeli forces will move south of the Blue Line “in a phased manner” within 60 days. The Lebanese army’s troops will deploy “in parallel” to the positions.