Egypt on Tuesday recorded its second consecutive one-day high for the number of coronavirus infections and deaths.
It was a worrisome development in a country of 100 million people and a healthcare system suffering from decades of negligence and underfunding.
The Health Ministry said the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 over the past 24 hours stood at 260, 12 more than the previous one-day record announced on Monday.
The ministry also announced 22 deaths, two more than the previous record of 20 posted on Monday night.
The latest figures take to 5,042 the number of Covid-19 cases since mid-February when the first case was diagnosed, while the number of deaths is 359.
These are relatively low numbers considering the size of the country’s population.
But the growing number of infections and the fragile healthcare system, are a source of serious concern for the government.
It will try to gradually return life to normal after Ramadan late next month, an intention partially designed to prevent the economy from tanking.
Seeking to reassure the public, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Tuesday held a video conference with top officials in six quarantine hospitals: four in Cairo and one each in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia and southern Egypt.
The officials offered Mr El Sisi a briefing on the resources available to them but made no demands or complaints.
The president thanked them and their colleagues and again had words of advice for Egyptians.
“I am addressing myself to all Egyptians," Me El Sisi said in a video.
"Please make a bigger effort and be more concerned to reduce the chances of infection."
Egypt has since early last month introduced a package of measures to contain the virus outbreak.
These included night-time restriction on movements, and the closure of universities, schools, mosques and historical sites.
It has also halted international air travel and banned large gatherings.
But most Egyptians have yet to take the threat seriously enough and embrace precautionary measures.
The Health Ministry on Tuesday said 30 per cent of coronavirus-related fatalities died before they arrived at hospital and that 20 per cent of deaths occurred within 48 hours of admission.
Seventeen of the 42 deaths announced on Monday and Tuesday died before they could be admitted, it said.
Health Minister Hala Zayed urged a more diligent enforcement of social distancing, reduced mixing and more adherence to hygienic and preventive measures.
Authorities in Egypt have been trying to strike a delicate balance between protecting people from the virus and giving them enough leeway to work and prevent an economic meltdown.
That would cancel four years of harsh reforms and austerity to overhaul the economy after years of turmoil.
