Egypt’s Ministry of Health announced on Monday evening five new coronavirus fatalities, recording the country’s highest death toll in one day.

According to the ministry’s daily report on coronavirus in the country, the five fatalities are those of an Indian and four Egyptians. The report didn't provide further details.

The total death toll since the discovery of the virus in the country in February stands at 19.

The ministry revealed it registered on Monday 39 new infected coronavirus cases, all from persons who came in contact with previous cases. Now the total infected cases has reached 366.

The ministry announced that 12 new fully recovered cases have left quarantine hospitals including 10 foreigners and two Egyptians. They are among the 68 cases that have fully recovered from the virus.

They are also out of a total of 96 cases who have since tested negative for the virus, the ministry added. 

Egypt has taken several preventive measures to combat the spread of the new virus including suspending international flights, shutting down schools and universities, halting all entertainment activities and mass prayers in addition to reducing the number of public sector employees working at state institutions.

The country has allocated a EGP 100 billion fund to finance a "comprehensive" plan to stop the spread of the virus.