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
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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.



UK Military Launches Airstrikes with US Targeting Yemen's Houthis

Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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UK Military Launches Airstrikes with US Targeting Yemen's Houthis

Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

The British military launched airstrikes with the United States targeting Yemen's Houthi militias, officials said early Wednesday, their first involvement with America's new intense campaign targeting the Iran-backed group.

The United Kingdom offered a detailed explanation of its reason to launch the strike.

The UK's Defense Ministry described the site attacked as “a cluster of buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) south of Sanaa.”

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s took part in the raid, dropping Paveway IV guided bombs, the ministry added.

“The strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further,” the ministry said.

The British offered no information on the damage done in the strike, nor whether it believed there were any casualties.

“This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation,” said John Healey, the UK's secretary of state for defense. “A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fueling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK.”

The Houthis reported several strikes around Yemen's capital, Sanaa. Other strikes hit around Saada.

President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of US strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying it will continue assaulting the Houthis until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.

The British have taken part in airstrikes alongside the US since the Biden administration began its campaign of strikes targeting the Houthis back in January 2024. However, this new strike is the first to see the British involved in the campaign under Trump.

The US military said over the weekend it has struck over 800 targets since mid-March.