Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

On Monday, the world reached one million recorded deaths from Covid-19. The US, Brazil and India now make up nearly half of the total, according to Johns Hopkins University.

However, the death toll is thought to be far higher as many cases may not have been officially reported. In June, an analysis of death records in 27 countries found another 130,000 deaths that had not featured in the daily headline figures.

As governments scramble to contain new surges of Covid-19, the World Health Organization announced on Monday that a new initiative will supply 120 million affordable, rapid antigen tests to low- and middle-income countries. The tests, which will cost just $5 and deliver results in 15 to 30 minutes, rather than hours or days, could save thousands of lives.  They also have the potential to transform the way governments react to the pandemic, enabling officials to more quickly detect and respond to outbreaks before they spread.

There have been at least 7,395,971 cases of coronavirus in the US, and at least 210,620 people have died. The United States could see an explosion in Covid-19 cases as fall and winter set in, health experts are warning. The US has already reported more than 7, 3 million coronavirus cases, and now, only 20 states are holding steady when it comes to the average of daily new cases compared to last week, while 23 are reporting increases.

India is expected within weeks to overtake the United States for having the largest number of coronavirus cases. The government however is unlikely to reimpose restrictions, after its earlier lockdown devastated the economy and pushed millions out of work. Covid-19 has now killed more than one million people around the world, a number UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described as an agonising milestone.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has added four more countries to the “red list” on its coronavirus map, meaning those nations have crossed the threshold of 120 infections per 100,000 people in the last two weeks. Cases are rising in the Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark and Hungary.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet with state leaders Tuesday to discuss tougher restrictions to curb rising coronavirus numbers. On the table: A 25-person limit for private gatherings, and a ban on alcohol sales for bars in hard-hit areas.

Coronavirus rates are surging in Paris and the surrounding regions, according to the French regional health authority. France is trying to control a second wave of Covid-19, with cases rising nationally.

Canadian public health officials say they are increasingly concerned about the “acceleration” of Covid-19 in Canada but say it is not yet time for nationwide restrictions or lockdowns. According to Canadian government data, there are now more than 14,000 active Covid-19 cases across the country with daily, average case counts doubling in just over two weeks.

South Africa recorded 903 new coronavirus infections for a second day in a row. The total number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 672 572. There were 88 new fatalities which brings the total to 16,667. The country’s recovery rate remains at 90% with 606 520 South Africans having survived the disease

South Africa’s economy lost 2.2 million jobs in the second quarter of 2020, according to the government’s statistics agency, which is the largest fall on record. South Africa’s lockdown – one of the strictest in the world – led to the largest economic contraction ever in the second quarter.

Zimbabwe recorded 21 local new cases and no new death was recorded in the last 24 hrs. Recoveries now stand at 6, 122 and active cases are at 1487. The national recovery rate is at 78%. More males  have been affected by the virus and most cases are in the 20-40 year age group.

Metal Prices Asia/Europe/NY market

30/09/2020

 (Source: Kitco)