Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

A record 209,028 new cases were recorded globally yesterday to bring the total number of cases to 11,193,565, this is the highest number of new cases recorded since April.5,170 new deaths were recorded and the death toll is now at 529,127.

The US reported 51,842 new cases, marking the third day straight with a daily high of more than 50,000 cases. The total number of cases has topped 2,890,588. That represents a doubling of the daily total over the past month and is higher even than what the country witnessed during the deadliest phase of the crisis in April and May.

Florida, Texas and Arizona have among the most dramatic spikes in infections, and much of the country has ordered shut the businesses they had reopened.

Brazil, second only to the US for Covid-19 cases and deaths, surpassed 1.5 million coronavirus cases. Brazil surpassed 60,000 deaths from the coronavirus after recording 1,264fatalities over the last 24 hours.

Africa also recorded its highest jump in the number of new cases as 16,216 new cases were recorded in the whole continent with South Africa accounting for more than 50% of the cases.

South Africa reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases as 9,063 new cases were recorded. The Covid-19 death toll has hit 2, 952, while the number of cases now sits at 177, 124.
The total number of recoveries is now 86 296 – a recovery rate of 48.7%. So far, more than 1.74 million tests have been conducted.

Plans to relocate 1 600 Johannesburg residents in Covid-19 hotspots to safer areas are officially underway, with residents set to move in the next four months. As Covid-19 cases spike in Gauteng, especially in Johannesburg, Mayor Geoff Makhubo says the programme must be implemented quickly, adding that he has been given a time frame of four months.

8 new cases were recorded in Zimbabwe to bring the total number of cases to 625, with 173 new recoveries reported and 442 active cases.

Botswana also recorded it highest number of cases since the virus was first recorded with 50 new cases. This brings the total number of cases to 277. Recoveries reported are now at 29 and the number of active cases is at 247.

Asthma, allergies, Covid-19 and your child: here’s what you need to know

Research on Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, is ongoing, and while information is still limited, we do know that it is not infecting children as frequently or severely as adults.

Given that millions of South Africans live with long-term conditions including allergic disorders such as eczema, hay fever and asthma (one of the most common chronic diseases affecting children), parents and caregivers are being extra cautious, especially considering that asthma, like Covid-19, is a lung disease.

Professor Claudia Gray, pediatrician and allergist at Kids Allergy – Paediatric and Allergy Centre answered some pertinent questions on the topic in a live interview hosted by the Allergy Foundation South Africa (AFSA). Here’s what families of children with asthma and allergies should know.

Although there are certain risk factors that put one at greater risk of developing Covid-19 complications, such as being over 65, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic heart disease, people are concerned about whether asthma counts as one of those chronic lung diseases which might increase their predisposition to severe Covid-19. News 24

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3/07/2020

(Source: Kitco)