Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

The number of coronavirus cases across the world continues to increase globally as there are now over 34 million cases of the virus. Total fatalities that have been registered are now at 1,018, 061 million.

More than 60 million people in India which is 10 times the official figure, could have contracted the novel coronavirus, the country’s lead pandemic agency said, citing a nationwide study measuring antibodies.

According to official data, India, home to 1.3 billion people, is the world’s second most infected nation, with more than 6.1 million cases, just behind the United States. Nearly 100,000 Indians have died due to COVID-19 – the disease caused by the virus.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has signed a new joint agreement, along with 16 pharmaceutical companies, to commit to scaling up manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccines at “an unprecedented speed” and making sure that approved vaccines reach broad global distribution as early as possible.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region says the low cases of COVID-19 in Africa are due to a variety of socio-ecological factors as well as early and strong public health measures taken by governments across the region.

The pandemic has largely been in a younger age group and has been more pronounced in a few countries, suggesting country-specific aspects are driving the pattern of disease and death. About 91% of COVID-19 infections in sub-Saharan Africa are among people below 60 years, and over 80% of cases are asymptomatic.

In a statement the WHO African Region says a mix of socio-ecological factors such as low population density and mobility, hot and humid climate, lower age group, interacting to accentuate their individual effects, are likely contributing to the pattern seen in Africa.

Since 20 July, the region has seen a steady decline in new COVID-19 cases. Over the past four weeks, 77 147 new cases were reported, down from 131 647 recorded in the previous four weeks.

Some of the most affected countries including Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa have all seen infections drop every week over the past two months. Deaths attributed to COVID-19 have also remained low in the region.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti says, “The downward trend that we have seen in Africa over the past two months is undoubtedly a positive development and speaks to the robust and decisive public health measures taken by governments across the region. But we must not become complacent. Other regions of the world have experienced similar trends only to find that as social and public health measures are relaxed, cases start ramping up again.”

Nigeria has developed a Covid-19 test kit that can give results in less than 40 minutes and does not need extensive training to use. The kit is yet to be approved by regulatory bodies but has raised hopes of boosting the country’s low testing rate.

A total of 674, 339 cases have been reported in South Africa, with 903 new cases in the past 24 hours. A reported 606 520 people have recovered and there are 16 667 reported deaths, 67 in the past day. This means there are an estimated 49,493 active Covid-19 cases. A second wave of coronavirus infections is a point of concern for the Eastern Cape government.

1 new case was recorded in Zimbabwe to bring the total number of cases to 7,838. No new fatalities were recorded hence the death toll still stands at 228. The national recovery is at 79%.

Metal Prices Asia/Europe/NY market

01/10/2020

 (Source: Kitco)