Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

Cases of the Covid-19 pandemic are now over the 18 million mark as 254,938 new cases were recorded yesterday. The death toll is now over 680 000over 11 million patients have recovered.

US coronavirus deaths rose by over 25,000 in July and cases doubled in 19 states during the month, dealing a crushing blow to hopes of quickly reopening the economy. The United States recorded 1.87 million new cases in July, bringing total infections to 4.5 million, for an increase of 69%. Deaths in July rose 20% to nearly 154 000 total.

Lockdown measures in the UK were set to be further eased this weekend, but on Friday Britain “put the brakes on” those plans and imposed new rules on millions of households in northern England, following concerns over a spike in coronavirus infections. Britain’s official virus death toll stands at 45,999 but is believed to be as high as 65,000 if excess deaths are used as a guide.

The death toll in Latin America from the novel coronavirus has surpassed 200,000.

Mexico recorded its highest daily increase of new coronavirus cases Saturday, with 9,556 infections reported in the past 24 hours, the country’s health ministry said. The total number of Covid-19 cases in the country stands at 434,193. This comes a day after Mexico surpassed the United Kingdom’s total number of coronavirus deaths, becoming the country with third highest number of Covid-19 fatalities

Cases in Africa are now 948,730 after 16,953 cases were recorded yesterday. The death toll in the country is now 20,018 and recovered cases now stand at 606,320.

South Africa has exceeded the half a million mark with a cumulative total of 503 290 confirmed Covid-19 cases recorded, representing more than 50 percent of all reported coronavirus infections in Africa’s 54 countries.

148 new Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded: 36 from Eastern Cape, 40 from Gauteng, 41 from KwaZulu Natal, 24 from Western Cape and 7 from Northern Cape. This brings the cumulative number of deaths to 8 153. The number of recoveries currently stands at 342 461 which translates to a recovery rate of 68%.

Egypt reported 238 new Covid-19 infections on Saturday, which is its lowest figure since 3 May and the cases are now at 94,316. The total number of fatalities is now 4,834 after 29 fatalities were recorded.

Zimbabwe recorded its highest daily increase yesterday as there were 490 cases, to bring the total number of cases to 3,659.Of the new cases recorded, 485 were local transmissions and 5 were imported cases from South Africa.  Harare remains the epicentre of the pandemic as the province has recorded 1,127 of the cases.  2 new deaths were recorded and the death toll now stands at 69. Recoveries recorded are now 1,011.

43 new cases were recorded in Mozambique to bring the total number of cases to 1,907. 1 new death was recorded and the total fatalities in the country are now 12.

Lesotho recorded 98 new cases to bring the total cases to 702 and 1 new death was recorded, hence the total death toll is now at 14.

Expect ‘lengthy’ coronavirus pandemic WHO warns

The World Health Organization on Saturday warned the coronavirus pandemic was likely to be “lengthy” after its emergency committee met to evaluate the crisis six months after sounding the international alarm. The committee “highlighted the anticipated lengthy duration of this Covid-19 pandemic”, the WHO said in a statement, and warned of the risk of “response fatigue” given the socio-economic pressures on countries.

The panel gathered Friday for the fourth time over the coronavirus crisis, half a year on from its January 30 declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) – the WHO’s highest level of alarm. Going into the meeting, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic’s effects would be long-lasting. “It’s sobering to think that six months ago, when you recommended I declare a PHEIC, there were less than 100 cases and no deaths outside China,” he said Friday. France 24

Metal Prices Asia/Europe/NY market

02/08/2020

(Source: Kitco)