Egypt’s Press Syndicate said coronavirus infections among its journalists rose to 11, including three deaths, head of the syndicate Diaa Rashwan said.

In an official statement on Friday, Rashwan said three of the cases are receiving medical treatment in hospital and one is treated at home.

He said the death toll jumped to three after deputy editor-in-chief of the state-owned daily Al-Gomhouria, Fathi El-Sarawy, passed away on Thursday.

El-Sarawy was a suspected case and died before his swap test results appeared, Rashwan said, adding that there were four recoveries among the syndicate's journalists.

Mahmoud Riad, a journalist at Al-Khamis newspaper, died from the virus on 27 April, and on 18 May, journalist Mohy El-Din El-Sayed passed away.

Three suspected cases, one in hospital and two in home isolation, are still awaiting test results, he added.

Rashwan said the syndicate will issue a daily statement on the latest developments regarding the virus.

He called on the nearly 12,000 syndicate members to take the necessary preventive measures recommended by the health ministry to avoid infections.

Rashwan also urged swift communication with the syndicate in case symptoms appear to ensure a timely response.