Coronavirus: Egypt Reports 523 New Cases, 23 Fatalities

Egypt confirmed on Tuesday 523 new coronavirus infections, raising the total cases to 122,609 since the beginning of the virus outbreak.

"Twenty-three more deaths were confirmed; raising the total number to 6,966," Khaled Megahed, the Health Ministry’s spokesman, said in a statement.

"Up to 105,450 coronavirus patients have recovered so far," the spokesman said.

"As many as 318 Egyptians were among the recovered patients today," he added.

Earlier, Health Minister Hala Zayed received Thursday the first batch of coronavirus vaccine at Cairo International Airport.

The coronavirus vaccine was developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm, and has been shipped from the United Arab Emirates, as Zayed and the Chinese ambassador to Egypt, and UAE acting ambassador were present to receive the vaccine.

"The vaccine efficacy ranges between 86% to 100%," Megahed noted.

The priority in distributing the vaccine will be for medical staff in isolation, fever, and chest hospitals, as well as people with chronic diseases, Megahed said.

The vaccine should be jabbed in the shoulder in two doses, with a 21-day interval, he added.