27th may 2020 · allowed to resume operations under strict social distancing measures. restaurants,...
TRANSCRIPT
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27th MAY 2020
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COVID-19 REPORT
SUMMARY
• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally is now over 5.7 million, with 352,746 deaths according to Worldometer.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has indicated that clinical
trials involving the use of antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients have been temporarily halted due to safety concerns. The announcement follows a recent medical study that suggested the drug could increase the risk of COVID-19 patients dying. Officials will conduct a review before deciding whether to allow the trials to continue or to cancel them altogether.
• According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in
the UK has fallen to its lowest level in six weeks.
• The WHO has warned of the risks of a second wave of outbreaks as more countries begin to ease lockdown restrictions. The organisation urges US and European governments to remain vigilant and increase testing and tracing measures to help control the spread.
• The anti-viral drug remdesivir has been approved by UK regulators and will be made available on the NHS. The
United States and Japan have already made similar arrangements. Results from research conducted by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) show that the drug cuts down the recovery time of patients from 15 to 11 days. The study also notes that it has better results on patients who are in severe need of supplemental oxygen. Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency authorisation for remdesivir to be used in treatments as, even though it is not a cure, so far it has shown a moderate success against the disease.
GLOBAL MAP OF CASES OF COVID-19
Source: Centre’s for Disease Control and Prevention 21.05.2020
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COVID-19 REPORT
UK UPDATE
For an interactive map of COVID-19 deaths in England & Wales click here.
• According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in six weeks. Between the 11th and 15th May, 4,210 COVID-related deaths were recorded, down from 4,426 the week prior. The bank holiday on Friday 8th May meant that deaths from the end of the week would not have been recorded until at least Monday 11th, so it is thought the true total may be even lower.
• Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the Scottish government’s new “test and protect” strategy will go live on Thursday 28th May. The initiative will implement a “test, trace, isolate, support” strategy. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested as soon as possible, and self-isolate along with their household until the results are available. Then, if positive, the patient will be required to provide contact details for everyone they have recently been in close contact with. These people will be contacted by specialist tracers and will be required to “immediately” begin self-isolation for 14 days. Further information about the scheme, including clarification on “close contact” and other details, can be found HERE.
• On 26th May, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health reported no new COVID-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours.
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that, from 1st June, outdoor markets and car showrooms can be reopened if they are able to meet COVID-19 guidelines. All other non-essential retail may reopen from 15th June if Government targets are met.
• Oxford University Professor Adrian Hill announced that the experimental vaccine produced by his team with AstraZeneca, a multinational pharmaceutical company, has only 50 per cent chance of success because the
TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES
265,227
TOTAL DEATHS 37,048
UK DAILY CASES 2,004
LIVE STATISTICS
UK WIDE – Public Health England SCOTLAND - Scottish Government
NORTHERN IRELAND: NISRA
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COVID-19 REPORT
disease is rapidly disappearing as reported cases are decreasing. Over the coming weeks, 10,000 people are due to take part in the second trial of the vaccine. AstraZeneca has committed to delivering 100 million doses this year, with a third of them expected to be ready by September 2020.
• Dominic Cummings, adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, gave a press conference on Monday 25th May to address criticism after he travelled 260 miles to visit family during lockdown in March. Boris Johnson has supported Cummings amidst calls for his dismissal. In his statement, Cummings confirmed he will not be resigning and believes he acted “reasonably and legally.”
• Scottish Conservative Junior Minister Douglas Ross later announced his own resignation in response to Dominic Cummings’ address, saying that he “cannot in good faith” tell his constituents he agrees with Mr Cummings.
• Supercar manufacturer and F1 racing team McLaren is laying of 25% of staff due to decreased revenue during this pandemic.
• Transport for London have announced that, even once services are back to full strength, the tube and London buses will be reduced to around 13-15% in order to ensure passengers remain two metres from one another.
• Weston General Hospital in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, has temporarily stopped new patient admissions after a spike in COVID-19 infections in the hospital.
• New research has found that 10 million UK adults have been volunteering in their community since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a majority stating they would continue to do so when the lockdown ends.
• Andy Haldane, the Bank of England’s Chief Economist, has said that recent data suggests Britain’s economy with experience a shallower recession than first feared with business activity recovering at a modest rate.
• About 1,400 homeless people are currently staying in hotels at the state’s expense but Sadiq Khan has warned that funding for this is due to run out in mid-June and, if not renewed, could lead to a surge in rough sleepers in London.
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REGIONAL UPDATES
(John Hopkins University, 2020)
(Worldometer, 27.05.2020)
*Above figures via Johns Hopkins University. Figures will vary between sources.
CLICK HERE FOR GRAPH DETAILS
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE REPORTED CASES
COUNTRIES/REGIONS 213
PATIENTS RECOVERED 2,449,556
TOTAL DEATHS 352,746
TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES
5,707,777
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COVID -19/RAS/27th May 2020
ASIA Bangladesh At least 15,000 Rohingya people are under quarantine in a number of refugee camps across Bangladesh. Health experts and charities have warned that the population density and lack of basic infrastructure in these camps means there is a high risk of a rapid and devastating spread of COVID-19. The refugees fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar due to violence and extreme persecution against the ethnic minority. Health officials are working to implement testing as quickly as possible to aid tracing and control the spread. China The city of Hangzhou has announced that a health tracking app, originally released to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, will remain in place for its population of 10 million. The proposed app will colour code and score users out of 100 based on medical records, physical test results, levels of activity and other lifestyle choices such as smoking. Japan The state of emergency has been lifted across all Japan as of Monday 25th May, following an announcement from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Restrictions for most of the country were lifted last week, with the exception of five prefectures including Tokyo and Hokkaido. Mr Abe praised the “strength of the so-called Japanese model” in controlling the spread of the disease while cautioning citizens to remain vigilant and avoid crowds, confined spaces, and close contact. However, some have criticised the Japanese government’s low testing rate. Pakistan The Pakistani government has declared a national emergency after the worst swarm of locusts in recent history decimated farmers crops causing billions of dollars in damage and leading to fears of long-term food shortages.
AFRICA
Madagascar Madagascar's government has announced it will dispatch troops and doctors to an eastern town after several bodies were found, suspected as having died from COVID-19. Several hundred troops are being sent to Toamasina, where there has been a spike in confirmed cases, to enforce restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. Medical staff are also being dispatched to the town to examine the circumstances around a number of unexplained deaths and to distribute a herbal remedy that the government claims is a cure for COVID-19. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced he will further relax COVID-19 lockdown measures from 1st June, allowing most of the economy to reopen. Most businesses, not including hair salons and beauty parlours, will be allowed to resume operations under strict social distancing measures. Restaurants, bars, and pubs will also remain closed except for takeaway and collection services. In addition, the overnight curfew that is currently in place between 20:00 and 05:00 will be lifted and schools will be allowed to re-start. A controversial ban on alcohol will also end, with limited sales allowed for home consumption only and "only under strict conditions on specified days and for limited hours", according to the President. However, the ban on the sale of cigarettes will remain in place “due to the health risks associated with smoking”. Uganda Uganda has begun to ease lockdown restrictions as of Tuesday 26th May with shops and restaurants reopening across most of the country. Some measures remain in place as all citizens will be required to wear face masks and maintain social distancing while in public. President Yoweri Museveni said last week that all citizens over the age of six will receive free masks from the government. Recreational venues such as gyms and night clubs remain closed for the time being, while public transport restrictions will be eased from 4th June.
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AMERICAS The WHO reported on 26th May that the Americas are the “new epicentre” of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged countries to postpone the easing of lockdown restrictions. According to official figures, Latin America has surpassed the US and Europe in the daily number of new infections. However, the WHO suspects that the actual figure is very likely to be higher than reported. United States of America The White House has imposed an entry ban on foreign nationals who have been to Brazil within two weeks prior to their request to enter the United States. The ban, which is due to take effect from 26th May, will not apply to US citizens, or to the spouse, parent, legal guardian, or child of a US citizen or permanent resident. Brazil recently overtook Russia to become the world’s second worst-affected nation in terms of total COVID-19 cases, where the number of deaths has been doubling almost every two weeks, compared to about every two months in the United Kingdom. Moreover, experts fear that Brazil’s true figures could be far higher due to a lack of testing.
President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, Robert O’Brien, accused China of covering up this coronavirus outbreak on two political talk shows on Sunday 24th May. Speaking on the shows, Mr O’Brien said the cover-up will “go down in history along with Chernobyl” while also claiming that Beijing gave “false information” to the World Health Organisation at the start of the year. In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Washington seemed to be infected by a “political virus” that risked pushing the two nations to “the brink of a new Cold War”.
The New York Stock Exchange trading floor reopened on 26th May. Chile President Sebastián Piñera has stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched the country’s healthcare system “very close to the limit” as the demand for hospital beds and ventilators increases. Chile has reported almost 70,000 cases of infection and over 700 related deaths. In light of this, the government will expedite its planned emergency basic income scheme to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic. Ecuador Thousands of Ecuadorians gathered in Quito on 26th May to protest against the government’s economic response to the pandemic. President Lenín Moreno announced new restrictions last week including the closure of some government-owned companies and salary cuts in the public sector, prompting trade unions and other activist groups to organise the demonstrations. Over 150,000 jobs have been lost as a direct result of COVID-19. The country is one of the hardest hit in South America with over 37,000 confirmed infections and 2000 related deaths.
Venezuela Human Rights Watch has announced that claims by the Venezuelan government that under a dozen people have died in the country from COVID-19 is ‘nonsensical’. The report points out that a third of hospitals have no water supply, 60% have a shortage of gloves and face masks, and 76% suffer soap shortages, with 90% experiencing shortages of sanitizing gel, and that with this in mind it is highly likely that the government have severely underestimated the number of cases and deaths as a result of the virus in the country.
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EUROPE
Cyprus The Cypriot government has reopened beaches as the island prepares to restart its tourism industry. Social distancing rules have been imposed and beach umbrellas and sun loungers are to be routinely cleaned. Cypriot authorities intend to restart flights on 9th June to and from Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Finland, Slovenia, Hungary, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, and Lithuania. Passengers arriving from these countries must obtain a permit three days before travelling confirming they are virus-free. France The French government has announced that all British travellers entering the county from the UK will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day period of quarantine. The restriction is due to be implemented on 8th June and mirrors a decision announced by the UK Home Secretary Priti Pratel earlier this week.
In Monaco, authorities have announced that from 2nd June, all bars, cafes, restaurants, museums, and casinos will reopen, albeit under social distancing measures. A maximum of six people will be permitted to sit on one table and all tables must be separated.
Emmanuel Macron has come under fire for personally sanctioning the reopening of the historical theme park Puy du Fou along with other outdoor attractions and certain theme parks despite the continued closure of and cancellation of festivals and theatres. Germany The German State of Thuringia announced that they would end the obligatory wearing of face coverings and the limit on the number of people allowed to gather within the next two weeks. Not only did the announcement contradict medical advice given by the German government, it also caused the cancellation of a federal government meeting in which all 16 state leaders were to meet and discuss a unanimous approach to a nationwide easing of the lockdown. Hungary Hungary’s ‘State of Danger’ which gives Prime Minister Orbán the power to rule by decree could end on 20th June after the Justice Minister Judit Varga announced she would be submitted legislation to bring this to an end. The emergency powers, introduced to fight COVID-19, have so far been used to strip opposition-led municipalities of decision-making powers and financial resources as well as the introduction of potential prison terms for the spreading of false information. Iceland The Icelandic government has lowered the country’s alert level, allowing for public gatherings of up to 200 people and night clubs and gyms to reopen. Through a widespread testing regime and a robust track and trace system, the country has confirmed around 1,800 cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths. As the alert level decreases, the two-metre social distancing regulation has become optional, though still recommended by authorities. Plans are in place to allow tourists to travel to Iceland, with every arrival to be tested for COVID-19. Those who test negative will be free to enter the country without restriction, but those who test positive would have to self-isolate for 14 days. Ireland Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has announced that the country has effectively suppressed the virus after no new COVID-19-related deaths were reported on 25th May. However, lockdown measures will not be eased for at least another week. As per current measures, some limited economic activity has resumed, with the construction industry restarting and some non-essential retail businesses allowed to reopen. The government is considering altering its phased approach to restarting the economy, with some sectors being considered for earlier reopening.
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Russia President Vladimir Putin announced on 26th May that Russia is passed the peak of the pandemic; however, the country reported its highest daily death toll (174) on the same day. Putin has stressed precautions should still be taken so that the annual Moscow Victory Day parade in Red Square can still take place next month. The parade was originally due to take place on 9th May but was postponed to 24th June due to the outbreak. Spain The Spanish government has announced the country will observe a national mourning period of 10 days from Wednesday 27th May. Flags will fly at half-mast on all municipal and military buildings for the duration, and a memorial ceremony will be held on the final day to remember those who have died from COVID-19. Lockdown measures have been amended as Spain continues a phased return to normality. Under the new measures, people in Barcelona and Madrid will be able to meet in groups of up to 10 people in their homes or on the terraces of bars and restaurants, while some of the country’s beaches are set to reopen. The wearing of face masks is still compulsory in buildings or on public streets when it is not possible to maintain social distancing. In areas allowed to enter Phase 2, restaurants are able to reopen to a limited number of customers and daily exercise will no longer be limited to certain hours of the day. The Spanish Government has hinted that tourism will resume in July.
AUSTRALIA/ OCEANIA Australia A passenger who had been on the cruise ship Ruby Princess has tested positive for COVID-19 10 weeks after disembarking the vessel. Authorities in Queensland suspect that the woman was infected on the ship and has carried the virus in a dormant state. The diagnosis comes following the case of another Queensland woman who was diagnosed with the virus 7 weeks after returning from India. Officials are monitoring both cases and are seeking to determine if the cases are indeed related to exposure to the virus months previously. In other news, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that he will not open the country’s borders in the near term, though he is discussing plans with his New Zealand counterpart to create a trans-Tasman safe travel zone.
MIDDLE EAST Iran Iran has reopened major Shia shrines across the country from 26th May after over two months’ closure. This announcement comes after Iran reported 34 new COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours, the lowest since March. Worshippers must wear face masks, maintain social distancing, and be subject to disinfection and temperature recording. United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has declared that Dubai will completely lift restrictions across the city from Wednesday 27th May, allowing free movement and business activity to resume. The country has confirmed just over 30,000 cases of infection and 248 related deaths.
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WILSON JAMES ADVISORY Our Risk Advisory Service regularly publish articles and advisories covering a myriad of subjects. These publications can be found within our Insights section on our Risk Advisory Service website.
The World Health Organisation Part 1: Its Role and How it is Funded
Due to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) currently elevated status as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, now would be a perfect time to gain a better understanding of what the organisation is and what it does. This article will look at the inner workings of the WHO, what its role in global governance is, and how it is funded.
Established in 1948 upon the signing of its constitution, the WHO currently works across 150 countries and, throughout its history, has been lauded for its many successes. Some of those successes have included its tireless efforts to vaccinate children, resulting in the elimination of smallpox in 1979, its successes in reducing polio infections by 99%, and its steadfast leadership when responding to the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. Presently, the organisation is headed by former Ethiopian health-minister Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who began his five-year term in 2017. The organisation is also guided by a World Health Assembly (WHA), comprising delegates from all 194 member states who determine policy and budget, and an Executive Board of technically qualified members who implement the decisions and policies put forward by the WHA. Read More.
The effects of increased levels of unemployment due to COVID-19
The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts that unemployment will rise to ten per cent in the second quarter of this year before falling again slightly in the third and fourth quarters. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has also warned the UK faces a “severe recession” on an unprecedented scale as official figures show the fastest rise in unemployment since 1947. One in nine people are now out of work in some parts of the country with 2.1 million claims to universal credit in the first two weeks of the lockdown alone. This predicts a bleak picture for the future of the UK labour market. Read More.
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