The fourth wave of the pandemic is expected to accelerate in September amid the reopening of schools, the return of holidaymakers, as well as the prospective return of employees to working from the office, Noha Assem, and advisor to the health minister, told Extra News (watch, runtime: 9:17) last night.

Her remarks came as the Health Ministry reported 123 new covid-19 infections yesterday, up from 112 the day before.

Infections have now been on the rise for 23 days straight, save for a one-off drop on 5 August, according to our in-house covid tracker. Egypt has now disclosed a total of 285,700 confirmed cases of covid-19. The ministry also reported 8 new deaths, bringing the country’s total death toll to 16,638.

We’re getting new vaccination centers as part of the bid to vaccinate teachers and other school employees before the start of the new school year, with the Health Ministry saying it is now operating 657 facilities nationwide, up from the current 580. Health Minister Hala Zayed added in a statement yesterday that there are now 145 centers offering QR-coded certificates to travelers, up from 134.

A third COVID shot in ‘Murica: The Biden administration has confirmed that it will call on its 155 mn fully-vaccinated citizens to take a third coronavirus shot, amid fears of the delta variant and the long-term effectiveness of covid shots, the Wall Street Journal reports. From 20 September, people who have received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be able to get the third shot. Studies on the long-term immunity of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are still being conducted.

Tunisia eases covid-19 restrictions: The country’s curfew will be shortened to start at midnight and cafes and restaurants will be allowed to open until 10 pm, the Tunisian president stated yesterday. The news comes as case rates fall and the government’s vaccination campaign gathers pace.