Death Toll at 3,573; 1305 New Cases

The Ministry of Health reported that 3,573 people have now died in Mexico from COVID-19. In the last 24 hours, positive cases rose to 36,327, of which 8,288 are active or with symptoms in the last 14 days, while suspected cases increased to 20,991.

During Monday’s special briefing, Director of Epidemiology José Luis Alomía said 69 percent of the deceased were men and that hypertension, diabetes and obesity continue to be, respectively, the first three conditions associated with deaths. Smoking and chronic kidney failure follow.

Alomía said all the states of the country have availability in both general hospitalization and beds with ventilators, and highlighted a positive daily result. “There were 1,305 cases that were confirmed in the last 24 hours, which represented only a 3.7 percent increase. Tomorrow, we will  see if this trend really continues,” stressed Alomía.

As of Monday, May 11

1,305     new cases (from yesterday)

36,327   confirmed cases nationwide

20,991   under investigation

3,573     deaths

Impact on markets (19.30 hrs)

US Dollar              MX$23.92            (0.67%)

BMV IPC               37,631.89             (0.02%)

Dow Jones          24,221.99             (-0.45%)

Private sector priorities

The automotive, construction and housing sectors are the priority sectors to restart according to private sector groups. “The automotive and construction sectors, along with the housing sector, which embraces the most branches, are the priorities. We are recommending they be the first to reopen,” said CONCAMIN head Francisco Cervantes in a joint videoconference with CCE head Carlos Salazar and INDEX head Luis Aguirre. “We are waiting  to be told these  sectors are going to open,” Cervantes said.

Automotive industry calls for certainty

Given that auto parts manufacturers must supply US assembly plants with five days of anticipation, the Mexican auto industry asked the federal government to grant legal certainty and declare the sector as essential to make sure it reopens on Tuesday or Wednesday. In a videoconference, National Autoparts Industry (INA) head Óscar Albín said that this must be formalized in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) today or tomorrow in order to restart on Wednesday. AMIA head Fausto Cuevas highlighted the importance for the industry to have certainty on the dates of restarting operations.

300 municipalities can reopen

Minister of Health Jorge Alcocer estimated that around 300 municipalities could be resuming activities in the first group of the 2,457 accounted in the country. Questioned after leaving a meeting with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and other cabinet members to address the end of confinement, Alcocer said that almost one thousand municipalities are being analyzed to gradually resume activities, of which one third may be ready. The official said that dates have not yet been defined, but that May 17 is still the likely date to begin the process.

Manufacturing at 55 percent

INDEX reported that 45 percent of manufacturing companies remain closed in Mexico due to the health emergency. “Companies in the sector are waiting to find out which regions or industrial sectors will restart operations,” the export manufacturing council stated. Regarding 55 percent of the companies that are currently operating, INDEX head Luis Aguirre highlighted that they are following all protocols on detection, isolation, monitoring and follow-up of people infected with COVID-19.

Jobs lost in Mexico City

Mexico City has registered 55,000 jobs lost during the COVID-19 health emergency until early April, however it is estimated that that figure could rise to more than 100,000, local Ministry of Labor Soledad Aragón acknowledged. In a video conference the official said that the numbers will be confirmed by her counterpart from the federal government this week.

111 deaths among health workers

Health personnel in Mexico have registered 111 deaths as well as 8,544 cases of COVID-19, Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell said. He explained that there are 23,525 workers who have tested negative for this disease and that 6,747 people are under study. Most of the infected personnel work in Mexico City and are women, he said.