The Health Ministry reported 613 new covid-19 infections yesterday, down from 691 the day before. Egypt has now disclosed a total of 273,795 confirmed cases of covid-19. The ministry also reported 31 new deaths, bringing the country’s total death toll to 15,654.

We have a new vaccine on the block: A vaccine produced by biotech firm Novavax has been found to be 90% effective against covid-19, the Associated Press reports. The company also said that its two-shot vaccine protects people against covid variants and — unlike Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines — doesn’t need to be stored in super-cold temperatures, making distribution easier.

It’s not going to be around for a while though: The company said it is hoping to get regulatory clearance in the US, Europe and elsewhere by September, after which it will have capacity to produce 100 mn doses a month.

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