730 New Deaths, 4,599 Confirmed Cases

The Ministry of Health reported that 18,110 people have now died from COVID-19 in Mexico after 730 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours. Confirmed cases amounted to 154,863 nationwide as 4,599 new cases were confirmed in today’s briefing. Director of Epidemiology José Luis Alomía said there are 21,159 are active cases.

“The increase in cases was 3.1 percent, although we must always remember that these 4,599 cases had a positive result today or were registered on the platform today but that most of them did not occur today but over the last 10 days,” he explained.

There are 32,388 accumulated confirmed cases and 463 deaths among health professionals.

As of Tuesday, June 15

4,599     new cases (from yesterday)

154,863 confirmed cases nationwide

56,843   under investigation

18,310   deaths

Impact on markets (19.30 hrs)

US Dollar              MX$22.24            (0.32%)

BMV IPC               37,894.05             (1.28%)

Dow Jones          26,289.98             (2.04%)

Mexico loses place in Investment Confidence Index

Mexico was left out of the 2020 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index prepared by AT Kearney, which evaluates the 25 countries that attract and retain most foreign capital. In the previous edition, Mexico had fallen eight positions to hit the bottom of the list. The US leads the current ranking followed by Canada, Germany, Japan and France. The consulting agency attributed Mexico's downgrade to decisions such as cancellation of the New Mexico City International Airport, low economic and social impact projects such as the Dos Bocas refinery, the Santa Lucía Airport and the Mayan Train, changes in the energy sector rules, and stopping approved investments, like the cancellation of the  Constellation Brands plant.

Dexamethasone can save lives

Dexamethasone has become the first drug shown to be able to save lives among COVID-19 patients in what scientists hailed as a “major breakthrough”, according to media reports. According to a research team at the University of Oxford, this cheap and widely used steroid reduced mortality rates by one-third among the most severe COVID-19 cases. Results suggest the drug should become standard care for severe cases.

Mexico drops in competitiveness

Mexico fell three positions, from 50 to 53, in the 2020 Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook. It is the lowest position the country has had since 1997, when the company based in Switzerland started making the classification. The ability to compete in national markets or to face international competition are the main indicators considered.

Mexico, US extend border restrictions

Mexico and the US agreed to extend restrictions to non-essential transit on their common border for 30 more days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has reported. Restrictions will remain in the same terms since its implementation on March 21. Both countries will continue to seek to coordinate sanitary measures but trade will continue without restrictions.

PAHO warns on borders

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) head Carissa Etienne called on countries to “work together to strengthen the health response within their territories and across borders,” in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases among migrant and vulnerable groups. “Most border towns lack robust health infrastructure, and service quality and access are often low,” she said. The increases of COVID-19 transmission in these areas is cause for serious concern and immediate action.