COVID-19 Developments Around the World

This week, Mexico started the Jornada Nacional de Sana Distancia (National Social-distancing Program) as we entered Phase 2 of contingency. Last Friday, the number of confirmed cases was at 164. Today, the country registers 582 confirmed cases and eight deaths. Almost 86 percent of the cases are contained in home isolation and only 6 percent are hospitalized. While the government has been quick to act and respond to many common questions, there is still uncertainty regarding response measures.

Here is the updated list of laboratories authorized to offer the COVID-19 test.

COVID-19 in Mexico

Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell has declared that, depending on how society follows the measures dictated by the government, the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico could extend to September or even October, with August bringing the highest peak in contagion.

The Ministry of Health has announced the infrastructure destined for the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with SHCP, the ministry exposed the actual monetary and equipment capacity of the whole public healthcare system. Concerns linger regarding medical staff availability, while the Ministry announced recruitment for different medical areas.

CONACYT has also been subject to criticism due to the lack of research on COVID-19. The council has not openly integrated focus study groups nor has it released reliable informational materials related to the pandemic.

CIEP released a study that presents the possible fiscal policies that Mexico could adopt to face the COVID-19 outbreak, which could represent 1.3 to 2.2 percent of the national GDP

Moody’s has said Mexico’s economic growth by 2021 would be of only 0.9 percent.

IMSS foresees the prescription for 170,000 incapacities for right-holders due to COVID-19.

Jalisco and Yucatán, which stand out for their clear action plan, have announced their initiatives to face the pandemic and its collateral damage.

Yesterday, the federal government suspended activities except for essential areas such as the Health Sector, security and cleaning services.

COVID-19 in the World

UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19.

Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, has also tested positive for COVID-19. He is 71 years old.

The US is now the center of the pandemic, with at least 81,321 positive cases and more than 1,000 deaths. New York is the most affected state with 100 deaths on 24 hours an exceeded capacity at hospitals. The US is the world’s third most-populous nation, which calls for no mistakes and a clear plan for facing the crisis. The situation has led the country to rush ventilator supply to prevent a catastrophe.

Unemployment rates in the country are growing at a very high rate, leading to the announcement of the largest economic rescue package in the history of the US.

States are calling for a concise plan from the president. Meanwhile, the White House declares that a strategy to help decision-making is coming soon.

G20 member countries agreed to inject more than US$5 trillion into the world economy to counter the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Venezuela is a worrying case for many as experts declare that its healthcare system is collapsed and usually presents shortages on basic supplies. This also points to a refugee crisis that could lead the virus to spread to Colombia or Brazil.

In China, the city of Hubei, the place where COVID-19 originated, has lifted quarantine after two months.

President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro has minimized the importance of COVID-19 and made a series of unfortunate comments about the subject and the way the country should act. He has allowed churches to have normal activities and urges the population to return to their normal activities as soon as possible.

George Washington University Hospital has revealed a video showing how lungs behave with COVID-19 based on a study done on an infected patient