Egypt's health ministry detected 647 new coronavirus cases on Sunday bringing total infection toll nationwide to 195,418 since the emergence of the pandemic in early 2020.

In its daily statement, the ministry also reported 41 deaths, raising the death toll to 11,598 fatalities.

As many as 445 patients have been discharged from hospitals nationwide over the past 24 hours to mark total recoveries at 149,934, the statement added.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said the country is on the threshold of a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, as he addressed a ceremony marking Mother’s Day on Sunday.

El-Sisi moreover urged citizens to stick to the preventive measures, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, during which people exchange visits and share food.

Minister of Health Hala Zayed has previously warned against an expected surge in the number of coronavirus infections during Ramadan, which starts this year in April, and Eid, which comes right after the month of fasting.

Egypt has started its vaccination campaign in January with Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Zayed revealed on Saturday that the ministry is aiming to to vaccinate around 250,000 medical workers and eligible citizens against COVID-19 by the end of this week.