Muslims wearing face masks attend a night prayer during Laylat Al-Qadr at the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egypt, on May 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
--Turkey's COVID-19 cases rise to 151,615;
--Iran's tally of infections hits 124,603;
--Egypt reports record daily rise of 720 cases, 13,484 in total;
--Lebanese PM warns full closure for 2 weeks.
CAIRO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Turkey, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, soared to 151,615 on Tuesday, while Iran's tally surged past 124,000.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca confirmed 1,022 new COVID-19 cases and 28 more deaths from the novel coronavirus, as the death toll surged to 4,199.
In addition, 112,895 patients had recovered from COVID-19 in Turkey, while 882 were being treated at intensive care units and 455 intubated, Koca tweeted.
Iran reported 2,111 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, bringing the tally of confirmed cases to 124,603. The death toll from the virus climbed to 7,119 after 62 deaths were confirmed overnight.
Saudi Arabia registered 2,509 new coronavirus cases, raising the tally of confirmed cases in the kingdom to 59,854. Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus reached 329, after nine more deaths were reported.
The kingdom also registered 2886 new recoveries on Tuesday, increasing the total number of recoveries to 31,634.
Women wearing face masks walk at a bazaar in Tehran, Iran, April 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)
Qatar's Health Ministry announced 1,637 new cases of COVID-19 infection, increasing the tally of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 35,606.
It added that 735 patients recovered from the coronavirus, bringing the total recoveries to 5,634, while the fatalities remained at 15.
Kuwait reported 1,073 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, raising the total infections to 16,764 and the death toll to 121, the Kuwaiti Health Ministry said in a statement.
Currently, 11,962 patients are receiving treatment, including 179 in intensive care units, it added.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced 873 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 25,063.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention said that 1,214 patients fully recovered from the virus, taking the tally of the UAE's recoveries to 10,791, while the death toll rose to 227 after three fatalities were added.
Egypt on Tuesday recorded 720 new COVID-19 cases, in the biggest single-day rise in the coronavirus infections since the country reported its first case in mid-February.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Egypt jumped to 13,484, as the death toll rose to 659 after 14 fatalities were added, Egyptian Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said.
Egypt also reported a record daily recoveries of 302, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 3,742, the spokesman said.
Israelis enjoy the beach in central Israeli city of Tel Aviv during a heatwave amid the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on May 19, 2020. (Xinhua photo)
In Israel, the number of active COVID-19 cases dropped to 2,946, falling below 3,000 for the first time since March 27.
The tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Israel rose to 16,659 after 16 new cases were reported, while the recoveries from the virus rose by 182 to 13,435.
The death toll from the virus rose from 276 to 278, while the number of patients in serious condition dropped from 52 to 50.
Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli ministry announced that restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Israel will reopen doors on May 27.
The reopening will be under restrictions, including keeping distance between people, taking temperature at the entrances and applying hygiene measures.
In Morocco, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 7,023 after 71 new cases were recorded, including 193 deaths and 3,901 recoveries.
Iraq's Health Ministry recorded 57 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 3,611. So far, up to 131 people have died from the respiratory disease in Iraq, while 2,366 others have recovered.
A health worker checks a traveler's temperature before he enters Sanaa as precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19, in the southern entrance of Sanaa, Yemen, May 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed)
Lebanon's total number of COVID-19 infections increased by 23 cases to 954 on Tuesday, while the death toll remained unchanged at 26.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab warned that he will order full closure of the country for two weeks if people do not take serious precautions against the virus.
The Lebanese cabinet agreed on Tuesday to end the academic year for schools and cancel official exams amid the increase in COVID-19 infections.
Jordan's Health Minister Saad Jaber said that 20 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Jordan, bringing the total number of cases to 649.
The minister said the current pandemic situation is under control and more economic sectors are opening up.
Tunisia reported five new imported COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 1,043, including 46 deaths and 819 recoveries.
The Libyan National Center for Disease Control announced three new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the war-torn country to 68, including three deaths and 35 recoveries. ■
