Egypt Reports Rise in COVID-19 Infections

The streets of Cairo, Egypt, on April 21, 2021, during the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Fadel Dawod/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The streets of Cairo, Egypt, on April 21, 2021, during the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Fadel Dawod/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
TT

Egypt Reports Rise in COVID-19 Infections

The streets of Cairo, Egypt, on April 21, 2021, during the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Fadel Dawod/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The streets of Cairo, Egypt, on April 21, 2021, during the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Fadel Dawod/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Egypt's Ministry of Health Ministry said the country had registered 1,148 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number of infections in the country to 252,690.

It also announced 52 virus-related deaths during the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 14,670.

According to the Ministry, there are up to 186,223 recoveries so far.

Last Wednesday, authorities in Egypt decided to extend a partial evening closure of shops, malls, restaurants, and entertainment places until the end of May.

Per the new decision, stores and entertainment places will continue to shut their doors at 9 p.m. local time until May 31, in extension of a decision issued on May 6.

Also, Egypt's Interior Ministry continues to monitor citizens' violations of precautionary measures, including wearing face masks and social distancing.

Up to 15,000 violations were recorded on Sunday. Penalties were imposed on several stores that did not abide by lockdown hours and safety measures.



France Calls for Immediate End to Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon, UK Calls for Ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2024. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2024. (AFP)
TT

France Calls for Immediate End to Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon, UK Calls for Ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2024. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2024. (AFP)

France called on Saturday for an immediate end to Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, also saying that it was opposed to any Israeli ground operation in Lebanon.

In a statement following a call with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also called on Hezbollah and Iran to refrain from any action that could destabilize the region further.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had also spoken with Mikati on Saturday, following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"We agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed. A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people," Lammy said.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told Mikati Egypt rejects any violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, a presidency statement said on Saturday.

In a phone call, Sisi also said that Egypt fully supports Lebanon "in these delicate times".

The statement made no mention of Israel's killing of Nasrallah.

Egypt will send medical and humanitarian aid to Lebanon, added the statement.