857 New Deaths, 6,148 Positive Cases

The Ministry of Health reported 857 deaths in the last 24 hours from COVID-19 bringing the total to 48,869. A further 6,148 infections from yesterday were confirmed, increasing the national total to 449,961 positive cases.

During today’s briefing director of epidemiology José Luis Alomía said there are currently 43,148 estimated active cases, or people who started with symptoms in the last 14 days and who could transmit the virus.

Likewise, accumulated suspected cases increased to 79,030 while 300,254 individuals have recovered from the virus.

Health Promotion head Ricardo Cortés reported that mobility has increased in recent weeks. “The state of Sinaloa increased its mobility by more than 16 percent. They are followed by Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Campeche, Chihuahua, Veracruz. All of them show a  5 percent increase from one week to the next”, he said.

As of Tuesday, August 4

6,148 new cases (from yesterday)

449,961 confirmed cases nationwide

82,460   under investigation

48,869   deaths

Impact on markets (19.30 hrs)

US Dollar              MX$22.82            (0.90%)

BMV IPC               37,466.95             (-0.21%)

Dow Jones          26,828.47             (0.62%)

President assesses new energy rules

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Mexico may need to change the country's energy industry rules to save PEMEX, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. “We must move to the allowed limit by the current legal framework. However, if we need to propose a new energy reform to apply the new rescue policy to PEMEX and CFE, we do not rule out that possibility,” the president wrote in a document dated July 22 addressed to government officials and energy regulators.

Peak in Mexico by the end of this month

By the end of this month Mexico will reach the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has stated. In a weekly conference, the UN’s agency head Jarbas Barbosa said more effective social distancing measure should be implemented. “We urge all countries to analyze how social distancing measures can be more effective and how they can protect poor families living in the informal economy so that they can respect social distancing,” he said.

New tool for USMCA labor issues

To ensure compliance with the USMCA new trade treaty regulations the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) presented the new Self-Diagnosis Tool based on 57 questions to find out the status of companies regarding labor issues. With this tool, the entrepreneurs intend to reduce the possibility of any Mexican company facing legal action due to noncompliance.

Hydrocarbon reserves fell 8 percent

The country's total hydrocarbon reserves fell 8 percent on January 1 2020 compared to the previous year, standing at 23.1 billion barrels of crude oil equivalent, the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH). No certification of new fields and the reclassification of probable and possible reserves affected the reduction.

Novavax vaccine moves forward

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax has shown a positive immune response despite moderate side effects, according to a statement issued by the company. The vaccine, delivered to patients with two injections, generated antibody responses that were four times higher than those seen in people who had recovered from the disease.

López-Gatell calls for discipline

After warning that COVID-19 outbreaks could arise if too many people go out quickly to public spaces, Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell reiterated the call to the population not to leave home if it is not necessary and asked to have patience and discipline during a video message.