Coronavirus Watch

Global statistics

Positive cases worldwide were more than 11.55 million, while deaths are close to 536 000.

The United States has the most cases in the world with more than 2.85 million, as well as the most deaths close to 132 000. Coronavirus cases increased in at least 37 states. Florida yesterday reported more than 11,000 new cases in a single day.

Brazil, second only to the United States in Covid-19 cases and deaths, has surpassed 1.6 million coronavirus cases.

The Australian state of Victoria has closed borders, placed thousands of people under lockdown, and is conducting mass testing after a sharp rise in cases.

SouthAfrica: The number of confirmed cases is 196 750, 3 199 deaths have been recorded in the country. There have been 93 315 recoveries. More than 1.83 million tests have been conducted, with 38 083 new tests.

SA’s restaurants and casino reopen for the first time since the lockdown began in March. Establishments have to adhere to strict protocols because of Covid-19. This has seen far fewer patrons in places than usual.

Eswatini recorded 34 new cases to bring the total number of cases to 988. The number of recoveries is now at 547.

There were 18 new cases in Zimbabwe recorded yesterday and the number of confirmed cases is now at 716; 181 recoveries have been recorded and the number of active cases is at 527.

India’s first Covid-19 vaccine races to meet August target

India has set an ambitious timeline for its first potential coronavirus vaccine – from human trials to general use in six weeks.

Bharat Biotech International, an unlisted Indian vaccine maker, received regulatory approval to start human clinical trials for its experimental shot earlier this week and it already has India’s apex medical research body expediting the process.

The under-development vaccine is “envisaged” to be rolled out “for public health use by 15 August after completion of all clinical trials”, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said in a 2 July letter to clinical trial sites, which was seen by Bloomberg News. It “is one of the top priority projects which is being monitored at the topmost level of the government”.

There’s been no evidence yet that Bharat Biotech’s vaccine is safe for use on humans, not to mention effective. The envisioned timeline is markedly shorter than other front-runner vaccine efforts from American and Chinese drug makers, most of which started human clinical trials months ago and are now entering the last of three stages of testing. (source:news24).

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06/07/2020