Mexico Marks Highest 24-hour Increase in Deaths and Infections

Mexico’s Ministry of Health registered 257 deaths from COVID-19 and 1,982 more positive cases in the last 24 hours, representing the greatest increase in a single day for both categories. Total deaths rose to 2,961 and confirmed cases to 29,616 of which 7,802 are active, or with symptoms in the last 14 days. There are 245 suspected deaths under investigation, according to the agency.

During today’s briefing Director of Health Promotion Ricardo Cortés highlighted the work carried out by the National Institute of Indigenous Languages ​​(INALI), in charge of translating health measures into native languages. The official also highlighted the good response by the people reported in the contact and communication channels of the Ministry of Health, to answer all questions and concerns related to the pandemic.

As of Thursday, May 7

1,982     new cases (from yesterday)

29,616   confirmed cases nationwide

18,812   under investigation

2,961     deaths

Impact on markets (19.30 hrs)

US Dollar              MX$24.02            (-1.00%)

BMV IPC               36,792.41             (-0.52%)

Dow Jones          23,875.89             (0.89%)

Automotive industry back on May 17

As of May 17, the automotive industry and the sectors that supply it, including textiles, tires, auto parts, glass, steel and others will start resuming activities under health and safety protocols, staggered working hours and only with employees with no chronic diseases, said CONCAMIN head Francisco Cervantes. “We are also looking for low-cost and easy COVID-19 tests. The last thing we want is a for employees to die,” he said. Cervantes assured that they are still working with the Ministry of Economy and IMSS to define details on the sanitary protocols.

Ford North America to resume May 18

US automaker Ford reported that it planning to resume production and operations in North America gradually starting May 18, Ford said some employees whose work cannot be done remotely, such as those who test and design the vehicles, will also return from that date.

US$5.3 billion loss for airlines

The airline sector expects losses of US$5.3 billion this year and the loss of 534,000 jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis, said CANAERO head Luis Noriega. In a video conference organized by CONCAMIN Noriega warned that one factor that is against the national industry is that in Mexico the health contingency will end later than in other countries where the outbreak started earlier in the year. The air transport chamber representative warned that 40 percent of passengers will wait at least six months to fly again.

Mexico City gradual reactivation

Starting in June, the gradual incorporation of activities in Mexico City is expected, Claudia Sheinbaum said. The local head of government warned that the incorporation of the people to the activities will be staggered because opening everything at once would imply a high risk of increasing contagions.

Mexico City mayor tests positive

Coyoacán Mayor Manuel Negrete said he has tested positive for COVID-19. The mayor's staff explained that Negrete had flu-like symptoms in recent days but that the condition worsened yesterday. Through his Twitter account the former football player reported the result and said he will be monitoring all activities during his isolation.

Challenge ahead in public revenues

Mexico stands out among countries with a greater expected fall in public revenues as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. According to a study by ECLAC and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mexico is last last place among OECD members in tax revenue with 16.1 respect of the GDP. Among the 27 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico is has the 25th position in thar ranking, only above Panama and Paraguay.

Elektra agrees to close stores

Secretary of Labor (STPS) Luisa María Alcalde reported that managers of the Elektra stores promised to close 1,200 stores this week, except for the brand’s financial services that are also provided in the retail chain, as they are considered essential according to the health authority.  On Monday’s daily briefing, Alcalde said Elektra was one of the few companies that have failed to complied with health restrictions.