Egypt's health minister has ordered an investigation into the death of a doctor who contracted coronavirus while on duty, amid rising concern about the number of health workers dying of the disease.

Minister Hala Zayd promised to do everything necessary to uncover any shortcomings over the death of Dr Walid Yehia.

One Egyptian media outlet says the investigation has been launched on the direct orders of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

It comes after the doctors' union issued a statement accusing the health ministry of negligence and holding it fully responsible for the deaths of 19 doctors from coronavirus.