CAIRO, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The total fatalities from COVID-19 in Iran, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East, surged to 11,106 on Thursday after 148 more deaths were reported overnight. Meanwhile, more foreign tourists arrived in Egypt after the country resumed international flights following a three-month suspension.
Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, reported 2,652 new cases of coronavirus infection, taking the total confirmed cases to 232,863 in Iran.
So far, 194,098 patients in Iran have recovered from the virus and 3,097 remain in critical condition.
Turkey on Thursday reported 1,186 new COVID-19 cases, raising the country's tally of confirmed cases to 202,284.
In the past 24 hours, Turkey recorded 17 more deaths from the infectious respiratory disease, taking the death toll to 5,167, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted.
The tally of recoveries in Turkey rose to 176,965 after 1,543 more patients recovered, the minister said.
Egypt received two flights carrying 313 tourists from Switzerland and Belarus on Thursday, the second day of Egypt's international flights resumption after more than three months of suspension over COVID-19 concerns.
Hurghada airport received a flight carrying 141 Swiss tourists while Sharm el-Sheikh airport received 172 Belarusian tourists, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement.
Egypt reported 1,485 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total cases to 71,299, while the death toll from the virus increased to 3,120 after 86 more patients died.
Saudi Arabian Health Ministry announced 3,383 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, increasing the total cases in the kingdom to 197,608.
It also reported 4,909 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 137,668, while the death toll rose to 1,752 with 54 new fatalities.
The kingdom approved on Thursday additional measures to reduce the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Economy and Planning Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the initiative of covering the salaries of the Saudis working in the private sector has been extended.
Under the plan, 70 percent of the salaries of the Saudis working in organizations severely affected by COVID-19, and 50 percent of the salaries of those working in organizations less affected will be paid.
Saudi General Authority of Zakat and Tax also introduced several initiatives, including postponing the tax payments.
The resurgence of COVID-19 continued in Iraq, as Iraqi Health Ministry reported 2,184 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections nationwide to 53,708.
It also confirmed 110 more deaths and 1,645 new recoveries, raising the death toll to 2,160 and the tally of recoveries to 27,912.
The ministry said it has opened 30 centers to increase the capacity of coronavirus testing in Risafa area, the eastern bank of the Tigris River which bisects Iraq's capital Baghdad.
Qatar's Health Ministry announced 894 new COVID-19 infections, increasing the total confirmed cases to 97,897. The death toll rose to 118 after three new fatalities were added.
Omani Ministry of Health reported 1,361 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 42,555. The death toll rose to 188, after three more fatalities were reported.
In Israel, the number of active coronavirus cases reached 9,176, the highest since April 21, the state's Ministry of Health said.
The ministry also reported 790 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 27,047, and two more deaths, raising the death toll to 324.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli government decided to limit gatherings in event halls, bars, nightclubs and places of worship to a maximum of 50 people, while the other indoor gatherings were limited to 20.
The United Arab Emirates announced 400 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 49,469.
Palestine on Thursday reported 322 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number in the Palestinian territories to 3,417.
Morocco confirmed 333 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total cases in the North African country to 12,969. The death toll from the virus reached 229 as one new fatality was recorded.
Syrian Health Ministry recorded 19 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections to 312, which includes nine deaths and 113 recoveries.
Kuwait, which started the second phase of restoring normal life from Tuesday, reported 919 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 47,859 and the death toll to 359.
In Yemen, the health ministry said the total number of COVID-19 cases in Yemen's government-controlled provinces increased to 1,221 after 65 new cases were confirmed.
Lebanon's number of COVID-19 infections increased on Thursday by eight to 1,796, while the death toll rose by one to 35. Enditem
