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COVID-19 tracker 03 August 2020

COVID-19 tracker

Shireen Darmalingam

Global update

  • Global cases have surpassed 18.23 million while the death toll has surpassed 692,000; recoveries are at 11.44 million.
  • The number of cases in the US has increased to 4.81 million, accounting for 27% of global cases; the death toll is 158,365.
  • Brazil has 2.73 million cases and 94,130 deaths.
  • India’s cases are at 1.80 million and 38,176 deaths have been reported; Russia has 850,870 confirmed cases and 14,128 deaths.
  • Second waves of the coronavirus pandemic are beginning to emerge.
  • COVID-19 infections in the UK have steadily fallen from a peak in April and have remained well below 1,000 per day since early June. However, fears of a second wave are growing.
  • The UK is examining all options for tackling flare-ups of the coronavirus and is expected to use regional data to target its next response. It’s been reported that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering sealing off London and ordering at-risk members of the population to stay at home as a worst-case option to prevent the spread of the disease. Possible measures include locking down the capital if infection rates spike and tightening quarantine rules on those flying into the UK. New restrictions in the north of England have already been introduced last week. 
  • Germany has taken a region-specific approach noting that tourists should avoid the regions of Catalonia, Aragón and Navarre, but not the southern coast or the Spanish islands. 
  • The EU is set to keep its external borders shut to most travellers for at least two more weeks.

Africa update

  • Confirmed cases in Africa has increased to 957,817; fatalities on the continent are currently at 20,305.
  • Egypt has 94,483 reported cases, and Nigeria has 43,841 reported cases; Ghana has 37,014.
  • Kenya has 22,053 confirmed cases of the virus.
  • WHO Africa has noted that while the pandemic is surging on the continent, the dynamics in each country are different.
  • Five countries account for nearly 75% of all cases in Africa.
  • The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that more than three out of four of all the reported cases and deaths on the continent were reported in South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Sudan. It also warned that easing measures in many countries risked a resurgence in infections.
  • The WHO has urged African nations to step up testing. The WHO commented that the fight against other diseases has now been disadvantaged as people are afraid to seek treatment at health facilities due to the risks of contracting COVID-19.
  • SADC noted that nearly 45 million people in 13 countries in southern Africa are food-insecure on the back of drought, floods and the impact of coronavirus. This is 10% higher than a year ago. SADC further noted that coronavirus restrictions in the region have adversely affected business activity, jobs and remittances. 
  • The African Development Bank (AfDB) noted that southern Africa’s economic output will likely shrink by as much as 6.6% this year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in a worst-case scenario. Its best-case scenario pencils in a contraction of 4.9%. Its forecast for Africa as a whole is at -1.7% (best case) and -3.4% (worst case).

South Africa update

  • SA reached 100,000 cases on 22 June (110 days), it took a further 14 days to reach 200,000, 9 days to reach 300,000, a further 8 days to reach 400,000 and 9 days more to breach 500,000. 
  • SA currently has the 5th highest number of COVID-19 cases globally at 511,485 confirmed COVID-19 cases; this is an increase of 8,195 new cases.
  • COVID-19 deaths rose by 1,299 in a week to 8,366; 347,227 people have recovered from the virus, which translates into a recovery rate of 68%.
  • Gauteng has the highest number of confirmed cases at 180,532 (accounting for 35% of the total); 2,115 deaths have been reported. The Western Cape has 96,838 (accounting for 19% of the total) and 3,117 deaths while the KwaZulu Natal has 82,300 cases and 875 deaths. The Eastern Cape has 79,410 cases and 1,769 deaths.
  • 3.03 million tests were conducted since 5 March; 34,794 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.
  • President Ramaphosa has urged citizens to remain careful and adapt to measures necessary to limit the spread of the virus. The stabilization of a daily increase in infections in Gauteng, which includes the economic hub of Johannesburg, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape suggests that prevention measures are having an effect.
  • According to hospital surveillance data from select hospitals, there are currently 10,544 hospitalisations (from 9,394 a week ago), 1,520 patients in ICU (from 1,218 a week ago), and 815 people are on ventilators (from 657 a week ago).
  • A team led by South Africa’s Biovac Institute is preparing to produce doses of a successful vaccine locally.
  • Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced several new lockdown rule changes aimed at alleviating some of the stress in the industry last week. The evening curfew has been amended to 10pm from 9pm to allow restaurants to run a dinner service. No changes have been made to the alcohol ban. Leisure travel for individuals will be allowed, albeit within the province. As such, accommodation facilities for leisure purposes has been opened.
  • The IMF has approved $4.3bn in emergency funding under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) for South Africa to assist with fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The low interest loan contributes to government’s fiscal relief package and will be used to address the challenging health situation and severe economic impact of the COVID-19 shock.

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