Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

The latest figures show that positive cases worldwide are now over 20 million, while deaths were more than 734 000. The United States had the most cases in the world – over 5 million, as well as the most deaths – more than 165 000

The United States surpassed 5 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, The number means the country holds about a quarter of global cases of the virus and also tops the list with the most reported deaths in the world. Of the country’s 5, 199,444 estimated cases, 1635,851 have been deadly.

Brazil has now reported more than 100,000 deaths after 593 new deaths were reported yesterday. This figure means that they are now the second highest in the world after the US.

Russia reported 5 189 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, bringing its nationwide tally to 887 536, the fourth largest caseload in the world. Russia’s coronavirus taskforce said 77 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing its official death toll to 14 931.

New Zealand marked 100 days on Sunday with no recorded cases of the coronavirus in the community, but health officials warned there was no room for complacency. There are still 23 active cases, but all were detected at the border when entering the country and are being held in managed isolation facilities.

In South Africa, the latest number of confirmed cases is 559 858.  According to the latest update, 10 408 deaths have been recorded in the country and there have been 411 147 recoveries.

Britain, one of the countries hardest hit by the virus, reported more than 1,000 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday, its highest daily increase since June, taking the total number of cases past 310,000.

While South Africa is the continent’s hardest-hit nation in terms of infections, the mortality rate – at around 1.8% – is one of the lowest among countries with high numbers of cases.

Cases in Zambia increased by 182 to bring the total cases to 8, 085. The country has recorded recoveries of 6,698. 32 deaths were recorded yesterday and the total fatalities in the country are now 235.

There are now 4,649 cases registered in Zimbabwe after 74 new cases were recorded yesterday. The death toll now stands at 104 after two new deaths were recorded. There are a total of 1,437 recoveries.

Statistics in Lesotho and Botswana have not changed in the past one and a half weeks.

Contraceptive pill may be protecting you against the coronavirus, according to a study

A preprint study from King’s College London found some evidence that oestrogen might protect women against Covid-19. A new preprint study from King’s College London, that still needs to be peer-reviewed, aimed to find this out by comparing menopausal women to younger women with higher levels of oestrogen. Oestrogen levels decrease when women reach menopause, which generally happens between the ages of 40 and 60. The data was collected over five-and-a-half weeks from hundreds of thousands of UK women using the country’s Covid Symptom Tracker Application.

The study also looked at women on contraceptives and post-menopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy. The researchers found that post-menopausal women had a higher rate of predicted Covid-19, with a higher frequency of symptoms that included a hoarse voice, skipped meals, muscle pains, and fever. Those taking contraceptives were less likely to contract Covid-19, and if they did, had far fewer symptoms and were less likely to be hospitalised. News 24

Metal Prices Asia/Europe/NY market

10/08/2020

 (Source: Kitco)