Telecom Egypt, Orange and Etisalat launched an initiative to provide the health sector and isolation hospitals with ventilators and medical and protective equipment, Egypt’s communications ministry said on Saturday.

The three companies provided coronavirus isolation hospitals with 12 ventilators, as well as protective equipment enough for 200 medical personnel for a month, the statement added.

The initiative aims to support the state’s effort in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and meeting the healthcare sector’s needs during the ongoing crisis, the statement explained.

Egypt's coronavirus cases topped 4,000 on Friday and the death toll reached 249.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday the number of infections is expected to continue to rise, but he assured the public the government is able to contain the virus.