Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported one the highest daily number of Covid-19 cases globally on Sunday, with 194,677 new infections. That brings the total number of cases reported to WHO from around the world to 13,036,612.

Most new cases were in the Americas, followed by South East Asia. The Americas recorded about 140,000 infections.

India recorded its highest 24-hour jump in Covid-19 cases yet, with 29,108 infections. The latest jump brings the total positive cases in the country to 879,466 making it the third highest in the world, after the United States and Brazil.  In total India currently has 301,850 active cases; 554,429 people have recovered since testing positive.

Mexico has surpassed Italy’s number of deaths relating to the coronavirus, according to numbers released by the Mexican Health Ministry. The ministry recorded 539 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing Mexico’s death toll to 34,730 and making it the fourth highest death toll in the world.

South Africa accounts for 40 percent of all the confirmed cases in Africa with 276,242 – an increase of 12,058 in one day. It has recorded 4,079 deaths, 25 percent of which have been in the past week. More than 30 percent of South Africa’s cases are in the economic hub of Gauteng province, which includes the largest city, Johannesburg, and the executive capital, Pretoria.

However, within a few weeks, the country’s number of confirmed cases and hospitalisations increased dramatically, bringing Ramaphosa to reimpose the ban on alcohol sales and other restrictions including a night-time curfew has been imposed, and the wearing of masks outdoors is now compulsory.

Malawi recorded 103 new cases and the number of positive cases in the country is now at 2,364; the death toll currently stands at 38 after 5 new deaths were recorded.

Zimbabwe recorded 3 new cases to bring the total cases to 985 confirmed cases. 328 cases have been reported to have recovered and the number of active cases is now at 639.

Lesotho has been witnessing growth in terms of new infections and 49 new cases were recorded yesterday to bring the total number of infections to 233. There was one new death that was recorded to bring the total deaths to 2.

Statistics in Zambia and Mozambique did not change. 

South Africa bans alcohol sales again to combat Covid-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the alcohol ban – South Africa’s second this year – would take pressure off the national healthcare system. It comes as total infections exceed a quarter of a million.

On the other side of the coin, all auctions will now be allowed and parks will be reopened.

All auctions will be allowed, but not family visits.

Also, taxis will have to open some windows.

In a public address, Mr Ramaphosa acknowledged “most” people had taken action to help prevent the spread, but he said there were still some who acted “without any responsibility to respect and protect each other”.

Mr Ramaphosa said the new measures were being introduced to help the country to weather the storm of coronavirus, and a state of emergency would be extended until 15 August. The night-time ban would be in place from 21:00 to 04:00. BBC

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13/07/2020