Egypt receives new batch of anti-coronavirus medical aid from China; Turkey's COVID-19 cases surpass 148,000
Workers transfer medical supplies from China at Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt on May 16, 2020.
Egypt on Saturday received a new batch of medical aid from China to help its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Turkey's COVID-19 cases exceeded 148,000 with nearly 4,100 deaths.
The third batch of medical supplies from the Chinese government of over 35 tons, arrived at Cairo international airport as the North African country's tally of COVID-19 cases hit 11,719 with 491 new cases.
"We highly appreciate the Chinese gifts to Egypt," which "embody the strength of ties that connects the two countries," Hany Selim, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asian Affairs, told Xinhua on the sidelines of a ceremony held at the Cairo airport.
Egyptian Health Ministry also announced 20 new deaths and 151 more recovered patients, raising the death toll in the country to 612 and the tally of recoveries to 2,950.
On the same day, Iraqi Minister of Health Hassan al-Tamimi praised China's instrumental role in supporting Iraq's fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
"China has played a great role in providing us with medical supplies," al-Tamimi said in a press conference at a medicine warehouse in western Baghdad.
Iraq on Saturday confirmed 67 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of infections to 3,260, of whom 121 have died and 2,126 recovered.
A worker checks medical supplies at a warehouse in Baghdad, Iraq on May 16, 2020.
The country has received batches of medical aid from China and the support from a team of Chinese medical experts during their 50-day stay.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Turkey, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, climbed to 148,067 after 1,610 new infections were reported, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted.
The death toll from the coronavirus in the country rose to 4,096 after 41 more fatalities were added in the past 24 hours, he said, adding that a total of 108,137 patients have recovered since the COVID-19 outbreak.
In Iran, the tally of COVID-19 infections surged to 118,392 after 1,757 new cases were registered.
The country also reported 35 new deaths from the virus, raising the death toll to 6,937. A total of 93,147 coronavirus patients have recovered, with 2,716 still in critical condition.
Iranian authorities announced on Saturday that the Muslim Eid al-Fitr prayers, a ceremony marking the end of the Ramadan, will be held across the country as all mosques will be opened in compliance with the health protocols.
People wearing face masks walk on a street in downtown Tehran, Iran, on April 29, 2020.
Saudi Arabia's coronavirus cases continued the surging trend with 2,840 new cases and 10 more deaths, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 52,016 and the death toll to 302.
The kingdom also reported 1,797 more recovered patients, taking the total recoveries to 23,666.
In Qatar, 1,547 new cases of coronavirus infections were detected, bringing the total number to 30,972, of whom 15 have died and 3,788 recovered.
The United Arab Emirates announced 796 new COVID-19 cases and four more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 22,627 and the death toll to 214.
The total number of recoveries from the virus in the UAE increased to 7,931 after 603 more fully recovered.
Israel reported 19 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the tally of coronavirus infections to 16,608.
The deaths from the virus in Israel increased by two to 268 while the recoveries rose to 12,855.
Passengers wait to check in while keeping social distance in Ben Gurion International Airport near central Israeli city of Tel Aviv, on May 14, 2020.
Kuwait reported 942 new cases, bringing the country's total number of infections to 13,802, of whom 107 have died and 3,843 recovered.
Algeria said that 192 new cases of infections were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the tally of infections to 6,821, while the death toll hit 542 and the recoveries reached 3,409.
In Morocco, the tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 6,741 after 89 new cases were added, which included 192 fatalities and 3,487 recoveries.
Oman's Ministry of Health announced 404 new cases of infections, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 5,029, including 20 deaths and 1,436 recoveries.
Tunisia reported three new confirmed cases, taking the tally of infections to 1,035.
In Lebanon, the number of COVID-19 infections increased by 11 to 902, while the death toll remained unchanged at 26.
Jordan also registered 11 more infections, bringing the total coronavirus cases to 607, including nine deaths and 404 recoveries.
Yemen's health authorities on Saturday recorded 16 new COVID-19 infections, raising the tally of confirmed cases in the war-ravaged Arab country to 122, which includes 18 fatalities and one recovery.
Meanwhile, health authorities in the Yemeni Houthi rebel-held capital Sanaa declared two new COVID-19 cases in the areas under their control, taking the total number of infections in northern Yemen to four, including one death.
In addition, one new COVID-19 case was recorded in Libya, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 65, including three deaths and 28 recoveries.
