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)
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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.



Hamas Says it Will Free 6 Living Israeli Hostages on Saturday

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
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Hamas Says it Will Free 6 Living Israeli Hostages on Saturday

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold banners and photos during a protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on September 30 (EPA)

A top Hamas leader says the group will release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday.

The six are the last living hostages set to be freed under the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Three hostages had been expected to be freed on Saturday, The AP reported.

The warring sides have yet to negotiate the second and more difficult phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya announced the decision in prerecorded remarks on Tuesday.

The releases have come in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.