ALGIERS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian health authorities on Saturday reported 115 new COVID-19 cases on the eve of the government's decision to ease lockdown measures to permit some businesses to resume service.

Head of COVID-19 Detection and Follow up Commission Djamel Fourar told a press conference that the total number of infections in the country increased to 10,050.

He pointed that eight new death cases were registered, bringing the total death toll to 698.

Fourar noted that the number of recovered patients is increasing day by day, as the total recoveries jumped to 6,631, after registering 178 new recoveries over the past 24 hours.

The figures have been announced on the eve of the decision of the government to partially ease the nationwide lockdown measure, as a number of businesses will be allowed to reopen as of Sunday.

This decision is aiming at curbing the economic repercussions on small businesses under more than three months of lockdown.

Earlier on Friday, Algerian Health Minister Abderrahman Benbouzid told the state-run ENTV television that the North African nation "hit the COVID-19 infection peak on April 29 when 199 cases had been reported."

He noted that "we are now going through a relatively stable situation which allowed us to decide to gradually lift the lockdown measures."

He explained that the government is taking measures that allow some sectors to reopen their activities in accordance with the recommendations of the scientific committee to follow up the development of the coronavirus pandemic.

Benbouzid said that the resumption of economic and commercial activities and services will start as of Sunday over two phases, in accordance with the lockdown lifting plan approved by the government.

The first phase of gradual business reopening concerns construction and public works, craftsmen, ceramics, carpentry, and travel agencies.

The second phase would start on June 14 including restaurants assuring takeaway and delivery services, in addition to a number of other business activities that will be determined later by the public authorities according to the development of the health situation and the behavior of the citizens.

The government urged merchants and customers for strict adherence to sanitary and social distancing rules.

On Feb. 25, Algeria reported the first COVID-19 case.

Since then, the government has taken a series of measures to contain the spread of the disease.

China and Algeria have offered mutual help in the fight against the pandemic. In early February, Algeria sent medical donation to help China combat the coronavirus. In return, China has sent several batches of medical aid to Algeria on March 27 and April 15, respectively.

A Chinese medical expert team arrived in Algeria on May 14 for a 15-day mission to help fight the coronavirus, through sharing China's experiences in the spread of the contagious disease.