Deaths Rise 56 Percent in a Week

Confirmed positive COVID-19 cases soared more than 44 percent since last week to reach 40,186 against the 27,634 reported cases on May 6, according to the Ministry of Health’s data. Deaths also rose 56 percent in comparison to last week and are now at 4,220.

In today’s briefing 294 new deaths and 1,862 positive cases were added while suspected cases increased to 24,856.

Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell noted that mobility had reduced in the country without the need for force. “The success belongs to the people, to the more than 127 million inhabitants of this country,” he said.

Mexico City registers most cases with 10,946 while the State of Mexico is in second with 6,813 and Baja California follows with 2,764 cases.

As of Wednesday, May 13

1,862     new cases (from yesterday)

40,186   confirmed cases nationwide

24,856   under investigation

4,220     deaths

Impact on markets (19.30 hrs)

US Dollar              MX$24.32            (0.61%)

BMV IPC               36,394.59             (-2.85%)

Dow Jones          23,247.97             (-2.17%)

3,800 automotive companies will start

Following the announcement that  construction, mining and automotive industry manufacturing will be upgraded to “essential activities” starting May 18, CANACINTRA estimated that 3,800 companies linked to the automotive sector and further 1,550 more of mining will be reactivated. “There are 3,800 companies that are linked to the automotive industry chain among carmakers and auto parts companies,” CANACINTRA Head Enoch Castellanos said. In a videoconference the business leader also warned that the sanitary measures to resume manufacturing activities could imply between 5 and 10 percent of this year’s total investment for companies.

AMIA committed to resume work

After the federal government recognized the automotive industry as “essential”, AMIA reiterated its commitment to immediately resume activities and reactivate the economy with the support of the Mexican authorities. “Mexico today begins an unprecedented stage in its history,” the association stated. The automotive industry represents 3.8 percent of the national GDP and 20.5 percent of the manufacturing sector’s GDP.

CANACO highlights “good start”

CANACO affiliated business considered the announcement of the economic recovery plan by the Federal Government as a good start. “We agree with opening different productive activities in stages. It is important that each state, municipality or region defines its dates to restart productive activities according to the conditions of each area,” said Mexico City’s business chamber head Gabriel Chapa.

Nuevo León groups support reopening

COPARMEX Nuevo León and CAINTRA expressed their support for the gradual and responsible reopening of the country's economic activity announced by the Federal Government. Nuevo León’s business organizations considered that a timely and accurate economic reopening plan could reduce the deep impact that the micro, small and medium-sized sector has already experienced as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bartlett’s contract is cancelled

IMSS Hidalgo reported that it has returned the ventilators purchased from CFE head Manuel Bartlett son’s company. Through a statement IMSS said that after conducting a review of the equipment it was determined that it did not meet the technical characteristics agreed in the contract.

Femsa manufactures masks

Femsa’s plastic unit PTM created a production line to manufacture face shields. In a statement the company said that part of the production of these masks, made of the same PET used in soda bottles, will be integrated into 400,000 kits that will be donated for the protection of medical and nursing personnel in a joint project carried out by Santander, Soriana, Coppel, Fundación Televisa and Oxxo.

ANTAD reports 22.9 percent plunge

Sales to equal units, which are those stores with more than one year of operation, fell 22.9 percent in April compared to the same month of 2019, ANTAD has reported. The figure reveals the sharp slowdown in retail, department and specialized stores sales after the COVID-19 contingency.