The ministry also reported 38 new coronavirus related deaths in the past 24 hours nationwide, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 17,884.

The statement added that 911 patients have been discharged after recovering from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 267,355.

The current rise in infection and deaths is driven by the pandemic's fourth wave, which started in early August and expected to recede by November.

To curb the pandemic, Egypt is intensifying its vaccination campaign and is planning to double the number of the vaccination centres countrywide.

The country seeks to vaccinate 40 million citizens by the end of 2021.

Vaccination providers nationwide have administered more than 23.3 million COVID-19 vaccine shots, Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Wednesday.