Coronavirus Global Updates, Mar 25 ::: Germany records more than 75, 000 Covid-related deaths, as Easter lockdown looms

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Coronavirus Global Updates, Mar 25 ::: Germany records more than 75,000 Covid-related deaths, as Easter lockdown looms

 


 

 


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Zimbabwe COVID19 Update


COVID-19 update: As at 24 March 2021, Zimbabwe had 36 749 confirmed cases, including 34 476 recoveries and 1 516 deaths. To date, a total of 49 404 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.





 


Germany records more than 75,000 Covid-related deaths, as Easter lockdown looms
Germany has passed the grim milestone of 75,000 coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, data from the country's public health agency published Wednesday shows.


According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) coronavirus dashboard, 248 people died in a span of 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 75,212. 

Germany is struggling with a surge of new coronavirus cases, RKI data shows 15,813 new infections for Wednesday, 2,378 more than a week earlier.

Easter lockdown: The German government has imposed tough new anti-pandemic restrictions, including a hard lockdown over the Easter holidays. Germany has also extended general lockdown measures until April 18.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the situation with state premiers in a video conference on Wednesday, a government spokesperson said..

This comes after harsh criticism of the Easter lockdown and frustrations over the slow vaccine rollout in the country.


 


A six-week decline in global Covid-19 deaths has stalled, according to the WHO


A six-week decline in global Covid-19 deaths has stalled, while cases have continued to rise for the fourth consecutive week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Tuesday, citing figures received Sunday. 

WHO data showed nearly 3.3 million new coronavirus cases globally and 60,000 additional deaths in the week leading up to March 21. 

Where the cases are: Brazil, the United States, India, France, and Italy had the highest numbers of new cases, according to the report. Regions in Europe and the Americas account for nearly 80% of all cases and deaths. 

Covid variants: WHO has also reported a continued increase in Covid-19 variants of concern around the world.

The report said the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the UK, the B.1.351 variant first identified in South Africa, and the P.1 variant first identified in Brazil demonstrated increased transmissibility “and a veracity to rapidly replace other circulating strains.” 

The B.1.1.7 variant has now been identified in 125 countries, the B.1.351 variant has been identified in 75 and the P.1 variant has been identified in 41, according to the report. 

Limitations: WHO noted that there are limitations in the virus surveillance and sequencing capacity of some countries, and there may be differences in which virus samples are prioritized for sequencing. 

“WHO continues to advocate for strengthening surveillance and sequencing capacity,” the report stated. 

The report also highlighted the importance of reducing transmission in preventing increasing virus mutation. 

 


CDC investigates cases of people who get Covid-19 after having been vaccinated


A nurse loads a syringe with a dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at the Blood Bank of Alaska in Anchorage, on March 19. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

Cases of people who developed Covid-19 after vaccination are "expected" and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking that data as more people get vaccinated, a CDC official told CNN on Tuesday.

The official said it’s important to study and genetically sequence “breakthrough” infections amid concerns that new variants might evade the immune protection offered by vaccines. 

“We are tracking and looking at sequencing those vaccine breakthrough cases to see what are the similarities of the cases,” the CDC official told CNN.

The checks are “timely” because more people are getting vaccinated. 

Current CDC guidance says that vaccination status shouldn’t affect treatment for Covid-19, but that health care providers and local health departments are encouraged to request the specimen be held and to report the case to their state health department.

CDC will work with the state health department to collect information about the case.

It also asks patients to report post-vaccination infections to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS.

The Department of Health and Human Services has previously established an interagency effort to research emerging variants and monitor how they could affect vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

The CDC official told CNN that the agencies are working together to analyze any variants that might be disproportionately causing infection among vaccinated people and will eventually issue guidance as data is gathered.

The official underscored that vaccine trials have been designed to show protection against symptomatic disease but not necessarily asymptomatic infection and transmission. 

The CDC lists a number of “variants of concern” it is monitoring for their potential to spread more easily or evade antibodies. However, none rise to the agency’s highest level, a “variant of high consequence”; this would signify that our methods to combat the variant have “significantly reduced effectiveness.”


 


Brazil records its highest daily Covid-19 deaths, posts more than 3,000 fatalities for first time


Brazil on Tuesday recorded 3,251 new deaths due to Covid-19 -- its highest daily death toll since the pandemic began and the first time it has posted more than 3,000 coronavirus-related deaths in a day, according to the country’s health ministry.  

Brazil’s Covid-19 death toll now stands at 298,676, with the previous record for daily deaths coming only last week. Brazil has the second-highest total Covid-19 death toll in the world.

Additionally, 82,493 new coronavirus cases were also reported across the country, bringing the total cases reported in Brazil to 12,130,019.  

The governor of Sao Paulo state has called Jair Bolsonaro a "psychopathic leader," in a sharp rebuke over the Brazilian President's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are in one of those tragic moments in history when millions of people pay a high price for having an unprepared and psychopathic leader in charge of a nation," Joao Doria said in an interview with CNN on Monday.



Hong Kong and Macao suspend BioNTech vaccine rollout due to packaging defect


Authorities in Hong Kong and Macao have suspended the rollout of BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine citing a packaging defect found in their first batch of doses.

Both governments said in statements Wednesday they had received a letter from BioNTech and its Chinese partner, Fosun Pharma, indicating an issue with the seal on individual vials in batch number 21012. 

According to government figures, as of Tuesday, 150,200 people in Hong Kong had received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine, which outside of China is partnered with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

Although both Fosun and BioNTech "have not found any reason to believe that product safety is at risk," the Hong Kong government said it was suspending vaccinations involving batch 21012, and halting plans to administer a second batch pending an investigation.

"These are preventive measures to continuously ensure the safety of the vaccination program," the statement read.

Prior to halting the BioNTech rollout, Hong Kong offered residents a choice of two vaccines, BioNTech, and Chinese-produced Sinovac. Now those who wish to get vaccinated must either wait until the issue with the BioNTech doses is resolved or go with Sinovac.

Hong Kong is expected to receive doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a later date. 

Vaccine hesitancy: The BioNTech suspension will likely blunt Hong Kong's mass vaccination drive, which is already moving at a slower-than-expected pace. 

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday that 6% of the population had taken their first shot, which she sad described as "not bad," though admitted the city could "do better." 

Though an estimated 252,800 people have so far received their first dose of Sinovac, hesitancy has been an issue, with many citing a lack of public data regarding clinical trials.




Thailand detention center Covid-19 cluster grows to nearly 400 cases


An immigration detention center in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has reported nearly 400 Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks.

Bang Khen immigration detention center, which receives illegal immigrants from across the country, started testing on March 11 when nine positive Covid-19 cases were reported, according to Thailand's Health Ministry.

Since then, a total of 395 cases have been reported from the outbreak, the ministry added. All of the positive cases are foreign detainees and officers from the center. 

Thailand has reported a total of 28,277 Covid-19 cases, according to the ministry. According to Johns Hopkins University, it has reported 92 virus-related deaths.



India reports highest single-day Covid-19 death toll this year as country marks anniversary of first lockdown 


India reported 275 deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday, the highest number of fatalities in a single day since December 31, according to a CNN tally of figures from the Indian Ministry of Health.

The country also reported 47,262 new Covid-19 infections Wednesday, the highest single-day rise since November 12, bringing the total to 11,734,058 cases, including 160,441 deaths.

This comes as India marks one year since the first nationwide Covid-19 lockdown was imposed in the country, forcing its 1.3 billion people indoors. 

New rules: In light of the "fresh surge in cases in some parts of the country," the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday announced new Covid-19 control guidelines that will be in place until the end of April.

India has reported more than 35,000 new cases daily for seven consecutive days, according to CNN's tally of figures from the Ministry of Health. This rise follows a "sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about 5 months," as per the MHA order.

Some of the measures outlined in the Tuesday order included quickly isolating positive cases and tracing contacts of Covid-positive patients within 72 hours.

According to the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu accounted for 81% of new cases reported over the previous 24 hours. Parts of many of these states have imposed complete or partial lockdowns and night curfews in order to contain the spread of the virus.  

India has distributed more than 50 million vaccine doses since January 16 when it began vaccinating healthcare and frontline workers, as well as those over age 60 or above 45 with comorbidities. Everyone 45 or older will be included in the rollout from April 1, according to the Ministry of Health. 

 


Astra Says 76% Efficacy; Lockdown Near Vienna: Virus Update


Boris Johnson warned the U.K. may need  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/johnson-warns-u-k-may-need-tougher-border-measures-very-soon> tougher border measures “very soon” to prevent the arrival of Covid-19 variants from continental Europe. U.S. cases surpassed 30 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.



The region of eastern Austria around Vienna will go into a six-day lockdown starting April 1 to curb a rise in infections. Poland will likely decide against introducing a full lockdown when it announces stricter virus measures Thursday, a report  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QQIE99T0G1L1> said.



AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine was  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-25/astra-reports-lower-efficacy-for-covid-vaccine-after-criticism> 76% effective in a U.S. study, a slightly downgraded estimate based on the latest data collected from a contentious clinical trial. The European Union and U.K.  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/eu-and-u-k-signal-vaccine-progress-as-bloc-hardens-export-curbs> signaled a thawing of relations over vaccine sharing.


 <https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/> 

 <https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/> 

 


Pakistan Sees Highest Daily Cases in 8 Months 
Pakistan reported 3,946 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, the highest one-day total in the country in eight months. The South Asian nation has decided to extend spring holidays for schools and colleges in hotspot areas, and already suspended its biggest T-20 cricket tournament.


Regions Around Vienna Impose Lockdown Over Easter 
The eastern Austrian region around Vienna will go into a six-day lockdown starting April 1 to break a wave of rising infections that’s been boosted by the more contagious British mutation of the coronavirus, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober and regional governors announced late on Wednesday.


Non-essential shops and services like hairdressers will be closed and a curfew imposed during these days. Border checks will be increased and commuters need to present more frequent negative tests. The rapid increase in infections and more severe cases is threatening to overwhelm hospitals and intensive care facilities in the east of Austria.


Mauritius Extends Lockdown by a Week on New Cases 
Mauritius extended a lockdown until the end of the month as new coronavirus cases cases surged. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth imposed restrictions on movement on March 9, and the lockdown was originally scheduled to end at 8 p.m. Thursday.


The Indian Ocean island nation has reported 826 cases of Covid-19, with 68 of those in the past week, according to Johns Hopkins University data.


Poland Likely to Decide Against Full Lockdown 
Poland will probably decide against introducing full lockdown as part of stricter Covid curbs it plans to announce on Thursday, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna reports. The country is considering closing preschools and limiting the number of people in stores as part of additional restrictions.


Nationwide Building to Let Office-Based Staff Work Anywhere 
Nationwide Building Society will let the majority of its 13,000 office-based staff continue  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QQIEE9T0AFB8> working from home full time if they wish following the pandemic, the Financial Times reported.


Hong Kong Suspends Online BioNTech Bookings 
Hong Kong halted online bookings of shots manufactured by BioNTech SE, after authoritied suspended the vaccine’s rollout because of packaging defects on some vials. Bookings for the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine were still available.


Astra Reports Lower Efficacy Amid Questions 
AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine was 76% effective in a U.S. study -- a slightly downgraded estimate based on the latest data collected from a contentious clinical trial, and a twist that creates another layer of uncertainty for the shots.


The company issued the new analysis after an independent monitoring board expressed concern that the initial efficacy of 79% relied on outdated information. The earlier reading was based on data gathered through Feb. 17. The data glitch may delay the vaccine’s ability to win U.S. regulatory clearance, though it’ll likely still play a crucial role in halting the pandemic.


Trudeau, Von der Layen Talk After EU Export Move
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QQI2QJT0G1L1> spoke with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen after the EU moved to tighten vaccine export restrictions.




According to a readout from Trudeau’s office, “they agreed on the importance of rolling out safe and effective vaccines as quickly as possible, including with respect to continued close Canada-EU cooperation.”


Johnson Warns U.K. May Need Tougher Border Rules ‘Very Soon’ 
The U.K. may need  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/johnson-warns-u-k-may-need-tougher-border-measures-very-soon> tougher border measures “very soon” to prevent the arrival of Covid-19 variants from continental Europe that risk undermining the country’s vaccine drive, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament.


Ministers need to balance any decision to impose tighter restrictions -- including potential virus checks on haulers coming from France -- “against the very serious disruption that is entailed by curtailing cross-Channel trade,” he said.


Nissan Halts Brazil Production Until April 12 Over Covid 
Nissan is  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/QQHYNWT0G1KX> furloughing all employees in its industrial complex in Resende between March 26 and April 9, according to an emailed statement from Nissan Brasil, with production expected to resume April 12. The move aims to ensure employees’ safety and adapt the company to the current situation while guaranteeing business continuity, the Japanese automaker said.




Weaker Africa Virus Controls Drove More Severe Wave: Study 
African countries’ loosening coronavirus-related controls and the emergence of more transmissible variants fueled a second wave of infections more severe than the first,  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/weaker-africa-virus-controls-drove-more-severe-wave-study-finds> according to a study published in The Lancet journal.




Brazil Surpasses 300,000 Deaths 
Brazil became just the second country to cross the mark of 300,000 deaths from Covid-19 as the virus continues to rage and overrun hospitals.


It took just two-and-a-half months for Brazil to go from 200,000 to 300,000 deaths, compared with five months between 100,000 and 200,000 fatalities, showing the velocity at which the virus and its P.1 variant is spreading.

 <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-25/bolsonaro-put-on-notice-by-house-speaker-lira-on-virus-response> Bolsonaro Put on Notice by House Speaker Lira on Virus Response

The Health Ministry reported 2,009 additional deaths on Wednesday, taking the toll to 300,685. New confirmed cases jumped 89,992 in the past 24 hours, to a total of 12.2 million. Both totals are the highest globally after the U.S.


CDC Dashes Cruise Industry Hopes for Restart 
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/cdc-says-order-limiting-u-s-cruises-stays-in-effect-till-nov-1> holding firm on a phased return to cruise-line operations, dashing the industry’s hopes for a swift restart.


Cruise Lines International Association, the main lobbying group for cruise companies including Carnival Corp., issued a statement earlier Wednesday calling for the CDC to drop the order and agree to let U.S. sailings resume by July. But in an emailed response to questions, the CDC said the so-called Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, or CSO, remains in effect.


More U.S. States Expand Vaccine Eligibility 
Louisiana, Idaho and Utah joined the growing list of U.S. states allowing anyone age 16 and older to receive coronavirus vaccines in coming weeks.




Duterte Warns Vaccine Line Jumpers
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/duterte-warns-vaccine-line-jumpers-as-donated-shots-at-risk> warned officials against jumping the vaccine queue, saying the nation risks losing donated doses from the World Health Organization-backed Covax facility if health workers aren’t prioritized.




Iceland Imposes Tighter Limits 
Iceland, whose handling of the pandemic is regarded as one of the best in the world, is imposing tighter social measures following a surge in infections linked to the British variant. The new restrictions, which will be in effect for three weeks, include closing schools and universities.


Cyprus Opening to Visitors 
Cyprus will open its borders starting April 1 to visitors from the U.S., Russia and Ukraine, the tourism ministry said Wednesday. All travelers who were tested and proven to be Covid-free and who haven’t come into close contact with a confirmed case will be guaranteed a quarantine-free stay.




Belgium Tightens Restrictions 
Belgium’s federal government and regions tightened virus restrictions for the first time since late October, closing schools one week ahead of a two-week Easter break, and ordering hairdressers and beauty salons to shut again for four weeks starting Saturday.




Merkel Scraps Easter Lockdown 
Chancellor Angela Merkel  <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/merkel-to-meet-with-state-chiefs-as-pandemic-tension-intensifies> asked the German people for forgiveness after making a rare public apology for sparking massive criticism with plans for a five-day Easter shutdown.


Merkel dropped the proposal, calling it a “mistake,” after a hastily-arranged video conference with the heads of Germany’s 16 states around 33 hours after announcing the move.

 


 


 


 

 


 

INVESTORS DIARY 2021

 


Company

Event

Venue

Date & Time

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


Old Mutual

analysts briefing

 

24/03/21 | 2:30pm

 


Willdale

AGM

Boardroom, Willdale Administration Block, Teneriffe, 19.5km peg Lomagundi Road, Mt Hampden

25/03/21 | 11am

 


TSL

AGM

Virtual |  <https://eagm.creg.co.zw/eagmzim/> https://eagm.creg.co.zw/eagmzim/ Login.aspx | in the Auditorium, Ground Floor, 28 Simon Mazorodze Road, Southerton

25/03/21 | 12pm

 


CFI

AGM

Farm & City Boardroom, 1st Floor Farm & City Complex, 1 Wynne Street

31/03/21 | 11am

 


 

Good Friday

 

02/04/21

 


 

Easter Sunday

 

04/04/21

 


 

Easter Monday

 

05/04/21

 


 

Independence Day

 

18/04/21

 


 

Public Holiday in lieu of Independence Day falling on a Sunday

 

19/04/21

 


 

 

 

 

 


Companies under Cautionary

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


ART

PPC

Dairibord

 


Starafrica

Fidelity

Turnall

 


Medtech

Zimre

Nampak Zimbabwe

 


 

 


DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared by Bulls ‘n Bears, a division of Faith Capital (Pvt) Ltd for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The information contained in this report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made or guarantee given as to its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Securities or financial instruments mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Securities of emerging and mid-size growth companies typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. Neither Faith Capital nor any other member of Bulls ‘n Bears nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Recipients of this report shall be solely responsible for making their own independent investigation into the business, financial condition and future prospects of any companies referred to in this report. Other  Indices quoted herein are for guideline purposes only and sourced from third parties.

 


 

 


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