CAIRO

Egypt on Monday announced the suspension of international flights as of March 19 until the end of the month to help stem the coronavirus outbreak.

"This measure aims to reduce direct contact, whether from the movement of tourism, or those coming to Egypt, or even those leaving it at this stage," Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a statement.

On Sunday, Egypt confirmed confirmed 16 new coronavirus cases, pushing the total up to 126, including 26 recovered cases and two deaths.

After emerging in Wuhan, China last December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 146 countries and territories.

The global death toll from the pandemic is past 6,400, with nearly 165,000 cases, according to the World Health Organization.