Coronavirus Watch.

15,374,394 cases of the Coronavirus have been reported after 279,769 new cases were recorded yesterday.

 In the last seven days, more than 1.6 million new cases have been detected globally. 

The death toll is now at 630,211 with 7,113 deaths being reported in the past 24hrs. The United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, Mexico and Italy have suffered the most deaths.

The United States is the hardest hit country with 4,100,875 cases and 146,183 deaths. 

Brazil and Argentina registered daily records for confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday, pushing the total number of cases in Latin America past 4 million and underlining the difficulty the region faces in controlling the pandemic.

 Brazil registered 65,339 additional cases of the virus on Wednesday, along with 1,293 related deaths. That brought the total number of cases in Latin America’s largest nation to 2,231,871, while deaths rose to 82,890.

Africa, where an acceleration in cases is concerning the World Health Organization, has expressed concern, has passed the 15 000-death mark.

South Africa has 572 new Covid-19 related deaths – the biggest spike in a single day – with most fatalities recorded in the Eastern Cape. The cumulative number of deaths is now 5 940.

 The total number of confirmed infections in the country is now 394 948. The number of recoveries currently stands at 229 175 which translates to a recovery rate of 58%.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) voiced alarm on Monday at the spread of Covid-19 in Africa, warning that South Africa’s surging numbers could be a “precursor” for outbreaks across the continent. 

Until recently, Africa had remained relatively unscathed by the pandemic compared to the surging numbers seen in other parts of the world.

With more than 15 000 deaths and close to 725 000 cases, the continent remains the world’s second-least affected after Oceania. But the situation has become increasingly worrying, particularly in South Africa.

Zambia still has the second highest number of cases in Southern Africa with 3,583 after 197 positive cases were recorded. The death toll is now at 128. 

Zimbabwe recorded one of its highest cases in the number of new infections as 214 cases were recorded. This brings the total cases to 2,034; the death toll remained unchanged at 26. 510 cases have been reported to have recovered and 1,498 active cases.

1, 046 are local cases whereas 988 are imported cases. Harare has the highest number of cases recorded with 496 and Bulawayo closely following behind with 493 cases. 

No new cases were reported in Botswana and Lesotho. 

Another Covid-19 symptom joins the list: Mouth rash.

While rashes on the skin have long been tied to Covid-19, doctors in Spain report that rashes on the inside of the mouth are also occurring in some cases.

The rashes are clinically known as enanthem, and it’s not surprising that they are showing up with Covid-19, said a US dermatologist unconnected to the new study. “An enanthem is a rash [small spots] on the mucous membranes,” explained Dr Michele Green, who practices at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

“It is very common in patients with viral infections like chickenpox and hand, foot and mouth disease. It is characteristic of many viral rashes to affect mucous membranes.” The new Spanish study was published on 15 July in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers led by Dr Juan Jimenez-Cauhe, of University Hospital Ramon Cajal in Madrid, examined 21 patients diagnosed in early April with Covid-19 and associated skin rashes.

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23/07/2020

(Source: Kitco)