Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

Coronavirus cases in Europe are “almost back” to the levels seen in March when infection rates first peaked, scientists have warned as concerns grow over a potential second wave.There has been a big pick up in the number of cases in Europe and Asia with 12% more each compared to the past seven days although the rise in reported infection rates had been slower than in March.

 India, USA and Brazil remain the three countries which recorded the highest daily case loads.

Among the countries which have been recording high number of cases include France, Peru, Indonesia, Israel and the United Kingdom. On the other hand countries like South Africa, Colombia, Philippines and Ethiopia have been recording decreases in cases.

Deaths in Europe are down from a seven-day rolling average of about 4,000 in early April to around 300 at the start of September. During the past 7 days, India recorded the highest number of deaths with 6,904 ahead of the United States which recorded 6,171; Brazil recording the 3^rd highest deaths of 3,735; Colombia recording 2,150 and Argentina recording 1,311.

France reported 8,975 new Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, the largest daily increase since the outbreak began in France. The new infections reported by France’s National Health Agency on Friday bring the total number of confirmed cases to at least 309,156. Despite the daily increase, the latest data released from the French National Health Agency showed the number of people hospitalized and in intensive care units remains stable. 

Authorities in Spain have reported 10,476 new Covid-19 cases on Friday as the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to grow in the country. Of the more than 10,000 new infections, 4,503 were diagnosed in the past 24 hours — the highest daily number in since early May.  At least 498,989 people have been infected with coronavirus in Spain since the virus reached the Iberian country.

South Africa has recorded 635,078 cases of the virus and 14,678 fatalities. The number of recoveries is now at 557,818 which translates to a recovery rate of 88%. South Africa has been witnessing one of the biggest drops in the number of daily cases with an average increase of 2,104.

WHO aiming for 20 percent of Africa to get initial COVID jabs from access plan

The World Health Organization wants to secure an initial 230 million doses of any COVID-19 vaccine for Africa, officials said, while emphasising that any vaccine in development should also be tested on the continent.

The global vaccine allocation plan, called COVAX, aims to help buy and fairly distribute deliver two billion doses of approved vaccines by the end of 2021.

“This … (initial batch) will cover 20 percent of the African population, initially prioritising those who are the front line, health care workers, then expanding to cover vulnerable groups,” Richard Mihigo, the programme area manager for WHO Africa, told an online news conference.

EU hopeful first vaccine doses will come by end of year

The European Union hopes it will get 30 million doses of a potential COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year, the first batch in a deal struck with British drug maker AstraZeneca, a European Commission official said. Assuming one dose per person, such a first batch would cover 6-7 percent of the EU population.

The European Commission has made a $397.8m down payment to AstraZeneca to secure at least 300 million doses of its potential vaccine, with an option to buy a further 100 million doses.

“We want all the member states to have the same price but also to have the vaccine at the same time. It means that, for instance, for AstraZeneca, we will have I would say at the end of this year a certain number of doses – hopefully 30 million doses,” the official said. Aljazeera

Metal Prices Asia/Europe/NY market

05/08/2020

(Source: Kitco)