Coronavirus Watch

Global Statistics

12,393,488 cases of the pandemic have been reported worldwide as 223,189 new cases were recorded yesterday. Most countries are witnessing exponential growth in the number of cases recorded.

The USA recorded record 61, 067 new cases which is the highest single-day tally of cases by any country. This brought the total number of cases in the country to 3,219,999. US deaths rose by more than 900 for the second straight day.

Mexico on Thursday posted a fresh record for new coronavirus cases reported on a single day, with 6,995 cases, bringing its overall tally of infections to 275,003, health ministry data showed. Mexico’s previous one-day record was posted a day earlier on Wednesday, when 6,995 new cases were registered.

South Africa recorded 13 674 new Covid-19 infections, taking the cumulative total of confirmed cases to 238 339. The country also registered 118 new deaths, with the death toll rising to 3 720. As for those who have recovered from the virus, the total now sits at 113 061 – a recovery of 47.4%.

Algeria will reimpose travel restrictions on Friday and increase testing in a bid to stop a rise in coronavirus infections, the government said. Under the measure, citizens will be barred from traveling to and from 29 provinces including the capital, Algiers, for a week starting on Friday, the government said in a statement.

Gauteng has now overtaken Western Cape as the hotspot of the Coronavirus in South Africa. The province recorded a total of 81 546 Covid-19 infections or 34.2% of the national total, as well as 37 more deaths. Western Cape a total of 74 815 infections, with 37 more deaths. Eastern Cape recorded 44 432 infections, with 28 more deaths.

Zimbabwe recorded 3 new deaths to bring the total deaths to 12. 41 new cases were recorded and the total number of confirmed cases is now at 926. 100 recoveries were recorded as they were based on the new WHO criterion for discharging patients from isolation. 

WHO sets up panel to review handling of COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is setting up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments worldwide. The announcement follows strong criticism by the US, which accused the UN health agency of being ‘China-centric’. The announcement on Thursday follows strong criticism by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which accused the WHO of being “China-centric”, and US formal notification on Tuesday that it was withdrawing from the United Nations’ agency in a year’s time.

Africa could have Covid-19 vaccine early next year if human trials work – SA trial lead

Africa could have a Covid-19 vaccine in the first quarter of 2021 if human trials underway in South Africa succeed, a university professor heading the trials said on Thursday. The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 experimental vaccine is one of 19 being tested on humans globally in a race to find vaccines to stop a pandemic that has killed more than half a million people so far. It is also being tested in Brazil by Oxford University scientists who are working with British drug maker AstraZeneca on development and production.

“A vaccine could be made commercial as early as the beginning of next year,” said Shabir Madhi, professor of vaccinology at University of Witwatersrand who is leading the South African trial.

Results

“But it is completely dependent on the results of clinical trials,” he cautioned, adding that out of the 19 potential vaccines being tried out, the most positive outcome would be if even two succeed.

Trials will depend on 2 000 volunteers aged 18-65 years who will be monitored for 12 months after vaccination to assess its efficacy. Madhi, however, said early results could be seen by November or December.-Reuters

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10/07/2020