Egypt's Ministry of Health reported 198 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total infection tally officially to 281,722 since the outbreak began in February 2020.

The health ministry also reported 21 new deaths on the day, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 16,215.

The statement said that 666 patients have been discharged after recovering from the COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 212,725.