Coronavirus Global Updates, Dec 09: India's Covid-19 tally hits 9.7-million mark as it reports 26, 567 new cases

Wed Dec 9 13:03:06 CAT 2020

 <https://www.gemportal.co.zw/> 

Zimbabwe COVID19 Update

COVID-19 update: As at 08 December 2020, Zimbabwe had 10 912 confirmed cases, including 9 062 recoveries and 303 deaths.

India's cumulative Covid-19 tests inch closer to 150 mn

Coronavirus live update: At 1,859,367, Maharashtra has the highest number of coronavirus cases, followed by Karnataka 895,284, Andhra Pradesh 872,839, Tamil Nadu 792,788, and Kerala 644,696

Coronavirus updates: On Tuesday, India reported 32,067 fresh Covid-19 cases. Its case tally now stands at 9,735,975. The country's death toll has mounted to 141,398. With 1,859,367 cases, Maharashtra has the highest number of coronavirus cases, followed by Karnataka 895,284, Andhra Pradesh 872,839, Tamil Nadu 792,788, and Kerala 644,696. Delhi reported 3,188 new Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 597,112.

An expert committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) will meet today to review the applications of Pfizer, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for emergency-use authorisation for their Covid-19 vaccine candidates.

World coronavirus update: The global tally of coronavirus cases stands at 68,542,133. While 47,445,504 have recovered, 1,562,025 have died so far. The US, the worst-hit country, has 15,585,092 cases, and 293,358 have died from the disease there. It is followed by India, which has 9,735,975 cases, Brazil (6,675,915), Russia (2,515,009), France (2,309,621).

402 Covid-19 case fatalities reported in the past 24 hours: Health Ministry
Ten States/UTs account for 76.37% of new deaths. Delhi saw the maximum casualties (57). Maharashtra and West Bengal follow with 53 and 49 daily deaths, respectively.

Coronavirus: India's cumulative Covid-19 tests inch closer to 15 crore

An average of more than 10 lakh tests conducted daily for detection of COVID-19 has ensured that the cumulative positivity rate is sustained at low levels and is following a downward trajectory, asIndia'scumulative tests near 15 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. The cumulative COVID-19 national positivity rate stands at 6.50 per cent as on date.The daily positivity rate is just 3.14 per cent. Higher volumes of testing eventually lead to low positivity rate, the ministry said.

Nineteen states and UTs have a weekly positivity rate more than the national average.

The ongoing trend of contraction of India's total active cases continues. The active caseload of the country stands at 3,78,909 which comprises3.89 per cent of the total infections reported so far. The daily recoveries exceeding the daily new cases have ensured a total net reduction of the active caseload. A net decline of 4,957 cases has been recorded in the total active caseload in a span of 24 hours.

SC seeks reply from Centre, states on Covid-19 guidelines, fire safety in hospitals

The Supreme Court Wednesday sought "detailed" response from the Centre as well as states on issues ranging from adhering to COVID-19 guidelines on wearing of face masks and social distancing norms to implementation of fire safety guidelines in hospitals and nursing homes across India. The top court was hearing a suo motu case registered by it to ensure proper treatment of COVID-19 patients in hospitals and dignified handling of dead bodies there.

Recently, it also took cognisance of the fire incident in a designated COVID-19 hospital in Gujarat's Rajkot in which several patients had died, raising the issue of lack of proper fire safety measures in hospitals across the country.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Gujarat government, to file detailed affidavits within three days on the issues such as enforcing of COVID-19 guidelines and fire safety measures in hospitals and nursing homes. The bench, also comprising Justices R S Reddy and M R Shah, directed the states as well to file affidavits by Friday on steps taken on these issues and fixed the suo motu case for hearing on December 14.

Coronavirus update: 73 new cases reported in Ladakh, one more person dies

One more person died due to coronavirus in Ladakh, which reported 73 fresh cases pushing the virus caseload to 8969 and fatalities to 122 in the union territory, an official bulletin said on Wednesday.

With the fresh death, fatalities in Leh district has gone up to 79. The rest of the 43 deaths due to the infection had taken place in Kargil district, according to the bulletin issued by directorate of health services, Ladakh.

Out of the new cases, it said 49 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Leh and 24 others in Kargil.

EM investors' hopes of market rally extending to 2021 ride on Covid vaccine

Emerging-market watchers may be confident the rally will continue into 2021, but it’s the roll-out of vaccination programs that concerns them the most.

A Bloomberg survey of 63 investors, strategists and traders found the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines is likely to be the biggest market driver for next year, beating out worries about the fiscal laxity of governments and China’s economic growth path. China still emerged as the overwhelming favorite across currencies and stocks, while investors were most optimistic for Latin American bonds, the Nov. 18-25 poll found. Argentina remained a source of unease.  <https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/investors-hope-market-rally-will-extend-in-2021-vaccine-efficacy-critical-120120900279_1.html>  

Europe Faces Worsening Numbers; FDA Touts Vaccine: Virus Update

Some countries in Europe battled worsening virus numbers even after weeks of curbs, with Germany reporting a record increase in deaths and the pace of infections growing again in France.

“We’re not out of the second wave yet,” French Health Minister Olivier Veran said. The Netherlands extended a partial lockdown for the holiday season and Switzerland said it may reduce opening hours for shops and restaurants next week.

Cases globally climbed above 68 million, exceeding the U.K. population. U.S. regulators indicated they may grant emergency-use authorization to  <https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/PFE:US> Pfizer Inc. and  <https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BNTX:US> BioNTech SE’s vaccine, calling it highly effective with no safety issues.

U.K.’s Gove Says Curbs Could Ease Early Next Year 
U.K. Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said pandemic cubs could be eased from early next year as the country embarked on a vaccination campaign. “We can begin progressively to ease measures in the New Year,” Gove said in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday.

More doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be arriving from Belgium and he said he hoped the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot would be available “soon.”

Germany Reports Record Death Toll  

Germany’s daily coronavirus-related deaths rose  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-09/german-covid-19-deaths-rise-the-most-since-start-of-pandemic> the most since the outbreak began, highlighting the government’s struggle to contain the spread of the disease.

There were 568 fatalities in the 24 hours through Wednesday morning, taking the total to 20,002. That exceeded the previous high of 510 in mid-April. Infections reached 1.23 million after jumping 29,263, the second-biggest increase of the pandemic.

Honda Parts Shortage Halts Production 

Honda Motor Co. is partially  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-09/honda-halts-u-k-factory-because-of-parts-shortage-nikkei-says> halting operations at its Swindon plant in the U.K. because of a parts shortage caused by pandemic-related delays, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

The Japanese automaker is seeking to secure air cargo to make up for delays in shipping, according to the report, which cited unidentified sources. The Swindon facility produces the Civic series of automobiles and has an annual output of 110,000 vehicles, which are delivered to the U.S., U.K. and Japan.

UAE’s Sinopharm Vaccine Trials

The United Arab Emirates said China’s Sinopharm Group Co.’s Covid-19 vaccine has  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-09/uae-says-sinopharm-vaccine-has-86-efficacy-against-covid-19> 86% efficacy against the coronavirus, state-run WAM reported. The UAE has been conducting Phase 3 trials for the vaccine since July, and granted emergency approval for its use by health workers in September.

Kenya May Opt for AstraZeneca Vaccine 

Kenya may choose the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as it can be kept using standard refrigeration rather than complex cold storage, the Daily Nation newspaper  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QL24PNT0AFB5> reported, citing the health department’s chief administrative secretary.

Iran’s Trouble Buying Vaccines  

Iran’s attempts to procure vaccines to curb the worst outbreak of coronavirus in the Middle East are being hampered by  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-09/iran-says-u-s-sanctions-preventing-purchases-of-covid-vaccines> U.S. sanctions, officials in Tehran said, as it is unable to use a payment system intended to ensure fair global access to the shots.

Iran had hoped to deploy funds worth billions of dollars locked up in South Korean won-denominated accounts. However, central bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said U.S. banking sanctions were effectively preventing Tehran from using the COVAX facility that’s jointly managed by Geneva-based Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization. Banks were unwilling to process transactions and convert the won into dollars, he said on Instagram.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Gavi said there was no “legal barrier” to Iran procuring vaccines through COVAX as the U.S. Treasury’s Office on Foreign Assets Control had issued a license covering coronavirus vaccine procurement.

Mongolia to Ease Curbs Next Week

Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa announced plans to ease lockdown restrictions in the capital Ulaanbaatar from Dec. 14. Businesses including restaurants, cafes and shopping malls will be allowed to reopen from 6 a.m. local time Monday.

Alberta Bans all Social Gatherings  

The Canadian province announced  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-09/canada-s-oil-heartland-locks-down-shuts-firms-to-quell-outbreak> strict new limits in an attempt to control a surge in cases, banning all social gatherings for at least four weeks from Sunday and requiring masks in all indoor areas. Casinos, gyms, salons and entertainment facilities will close, while bars and restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery orders.

Retail stores, malls and religious houses will be limited to 15% of capacity, and people must work from home unless they’re physically required at their workplace.

Positive Case on Cruise to Nowhere  

A Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. ship  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-08/cruise-to-nowhere-returns-to-singapore-on-possible-covid-19-risk> returned early to Singapore after a passenger tested positive for Covid-19. About 2,000 people are on the Quantum of the Seas vessel and they’ve been told to stay in their rooms as a precautionary measure.

“We know this isn’t exactly how you planned to spend your cruise, and we are terribly sorry,” Royal Caribbean said in a note to passengers. Breakfast was delivered to guests in their rooms and passengers were given permission to smoke in their bathrooms.

Hong Kong Mulls Travel Limits  

Hong Kong officials have discussed limiting air passenger arrivals if there is a  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QL1RV9DWRGG4> shortfall of hotels willing to serve as quarantine centers, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a government pandemic adviser. The cap would only be considered in “extreme conditions.”

Low Transmission in English Schools  

Cases were low in schools that reopened in England after the first nationwide lockdown, suggesting there was little risk of spreading the disease, according to a  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-08/england-s-schools-had-low-covid-risk-after-reopening-study> study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

The research covered nurseries and schools that reopened after implementing measures such as smaller classes and the formation of social bubbles. The virus was most often spread among staff, while student-to-student transmission was rare.

COVID-19 In Africa

While most cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been reported in the U.S. , Europe, and China, the virus is spreading rapidly across the African continent.

The confirmed worldwide cases for the virus have surpassed 50 million with the current figure being at 68,250,572.

The increase in newly reported cases around the world has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the coronavirus a global pandemic.

The death toll continues to rise globally now surpassing  <https://www.forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2020/09/29/coronavirus-claims-the-lives-of-more-than-1-million-people-worldwide/> one million. It is currently at 1,556,825.

The U.S. leads with 291,407 deaths. Brazil comes second with 177,400. India’s deaths are at 141,340; Mexico is with 110,074 deaths, and The U.K is with 62,033.

China, where the virus originated from, maintains that the country’s death toll is at 4,634.

The figure of the global recoveries stands at 47,249,132.

The African continent now has a total figure of 2,292,302 confirmed cases of Covid-19, while the death toll stands at 54,298. The continent has made 1,952,536 recoveries.

Invest Wisely!

Bulls n Bears 

Telephone:     <tel:%2B263%204%202927658> +263 4 2927658

Cellphone:     <tel:%2B263%2077%20344%201674> +263 77 344 1674

Alt. Email:     <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> info at bulls.co.zw  

Website:       <http://www.bullszimbabwe.com> www.bullszimbabwe.com 

Blog:            <http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulls.co.zw%2Fblog&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFoIy6F9IXAiYnSoPSgWDYsr8Sqtw> www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog

Twitter:       @bullsbears2010

LinkedIn:     Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe

Facebook:     <http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBullsBearsZimbabwe&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhb_A5rp4biV1dGHbgiAhUxQqBXA> www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe

Skype:         Bulls.Bears 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20201209/67bd0c29/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 73272 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20201209/67bd0c29/attachment-0002.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image007.png
Type: image/png
Size: 9458 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20201209/67bd0c29/attachment-0002.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 174 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20201209/67bd0c29/attachment-0003.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 108425 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20201209/67bd0c29/attachment-0003.jpg>