The World Bank is providing $7.9 million to Egypt to fund emergency response activities related to the coronavirus outbreak in the country, a statement by the World Bank Group read.

According to the statement, the World Bank on 20 March activated the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) under the “Transforming Egypt’s Healthcare System Project” over the pandemic. 

"The World Bank is mobilising quickly to support Egypt’s emergency response activities and the implementation of a preventive plan to confront the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Marina Wes, World Bank country director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti. 

The CERC activation will support the Egyptian government with the implementation of the preventive plan against the coronavirus, the World Bank added. 

Egypt detected 86 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest reported daily toll so far, bringing the total to 865, as well as six new fatalities, giving a death toll of 58. 

Last month, the World Bank Group said would roll out a $14 billion fast-track package to strengthen coronavirus response in developing countries and shorten the time to recovery.

The immediate response includes financing, policy advice and technical assistance to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.