Egypt Sees Another COVID-19 Spike

Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)
Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)
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Egypt Sees Another COVID-19 Spike

Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)
Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)

Egypt has seen an increase in the coronavirus cases recording 224 infections on Friday, prompting the authorities to reiterate the importance of adhering to precautionary measures to confront the pandemic.

The Egyptian government urged authorities to take precautions inside public facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for the second wave of the virus.

Adviser to the President on Health and Prevention Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag Eddin called on citizens to adhere to precautions, adding that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urged Egyptians to follow the measures issued by the authorities.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed the government's readiness to confront the virus at any time.

The Ministry of Health announced that 100 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, bringing the total of recovered cases to 100,106 so far.

The Ministry said it would continue to monitor the epidemiological situation of the virus and take all necessary preventive measures against any infectious diseases.

According to the Ministry, the total number of confirmed cases reached 108,754 since the outbreak in the country, including 6,343 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Development called on the governors to coordinate with the security authorities and impose fines on those not wearing the face mask in public transportation.

It also stressed that any facility that did not follow the precautionary measures would be shut down, highlighting the importance of regularly sterilizing buildings and facilities.

Earlier, the Egyptian government warned citizens it might resort to "difficult decisions" if they do not adhere to precautionary measures such as social distancing and protective masks.



Turkish FM Discusses with Blinken Need to Cooperate with New Syrian Administration

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) attending a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. (EPA/Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) attending a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. (EPA/Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office handout)
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Turkish FM Discusses with Blinken Need to Cooperate with New Syrian Administration

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) attending a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. (EPA/Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) and Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) attending a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 22 December 2024. (EPA/Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Office handout)

Türkiye's foreign minister discussed with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday the need to act in cooperation with the new Syrian administration to ensure the completion of the transition period in an orderly manner, the ministry said.

In a phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Blinken that Ankara would not allow Kurdish YPG militia to take shelter in Syria, the ministry spokesperson said.

During the call, Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that "upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government," according to a statement from the US State Department.

Blinken and Fidan also discussed preventing terrorism from endangering the security of Türkiye and Syria, the statement said.