Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

The new coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 16 million people is easily the worst global health emergency the World Health Organization (WHO) has faced, its director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said. Canada, China, Germany and South Korea have managed to control the outbreak in their countries.

More than 16.64 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 656,621 have died. Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

Recorded deaths from the coronavirus surpassed 650 000 on Monday as the disease surged back at hotspots in Asia, Europe and the Americas, prompting renewed restrictions, targeted lockdowns and compulsory mask-wearing orders. The United States has the most deaths with 150,444, followed by Brazil with 87,737, Britain with 45,759, Mexico 44,022 and Italy with 35,112.

China reported its highest number of coronavirus cases in three months, part of a worrying swell of second and third-wave infections that are hitting Asia and Europe.

In South Africa, the Covid-19 death toll has hit 7 067, while the number of cases now sits at 452 529. A total of 91 of the 298 new deaths have come from the Free State alone, while 77 from the Eastern Cape, and 61 from Gauteng.  There have been 274 925 recoveries.

The International Monetary Fund has approved $4.3bn (about R70 billion) in aid to South Africa to help the country fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Cases in Zimbabwe are now at 2,704 after 192 new cases were recorded yesterday, 189 new cases were local infections. 2 new deaths were recorded in Manicaland to bring the total death toll to 36. 546 recoveries have been recorded so far. Of the 2 704 total infections, Harare accounts for 601 local infections Bulawayo accounts for  667 and Midlands now has 168 local infections.

The country suspended most parliamentary activities as two lawmakers tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Several service providers and businesses have temporarily suspended operations to allow co-workers of infected staff to be tested while premises are being disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines.

53 new cases were recorded in Botswana to bring the total number of cases to 739. 1 new death was recorded after nearly 8 weeks, this brings the death toll to 2.

US-backed vaccine trial enters ‘late stage

Moderna Inc. has started a late-stage trial to test the effectiveness of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, the first such study under the Trump administration’s program to speed development of measures against the novel coronavirus. The United States has doubled its investment – to nearly $1 billion – to expedite development of a potential Covid-19 vaccine by American firm Moderna, which on Monday begins the decisive final phase of clinical trials.  The government now plans to spend up to $472 million on top of the previously announced $483 million, the Moderna biotechnology company announced on Sunday.

Moderna said the added investment was justified by its decision, in conjunction with the government, to “significantly” expand a Phase Three clinical trial of a candidate vaccine to include 30 000 participants. CNBC

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28/07/2020