Mexico Breaks Half-Million Cases Barrier

Mexico has exceeded half a million COVID-19 confirmed cases according to data from the Ministry of Health. This agency detailed there are 505,751 accumulated cases so far after 7,371 were added since yesterday.  Over 627 new deaths from there new virus increased the national death total to 55,293.

During today´s briefing Director of Epidemiology José Luis Alomía said there are two straight weeks of decline in cases. “The first (week) a slight decrease and the second one we see a sharper drop. Comparison from weeks 30 to 31 is minus 14 percent in the number of estimated cases,” he noted.

Worldwide positive cases are near 20.9 million, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) data.

As of Thursday, August 13

7,371 new cases (from yesterday)

505,751 confirmed cases nationwide

83,075   under investigation

55,293   deaths

Impact on markets (19.30 hrs)

US Dollar              MX$22.23            (-0.49%)

BMV IPC               38,615.63             (-0.05%)

Dow Jones          27,896.72             (-0.29%)

Banxico sets benchmark at 4.5 percent

Banxico cut its interest rate for the tenth consecutive time in line with the market forecast, setting the benchmark at 4.5 percent after a 50 basis points cut. On this occasion the Central Bank decision was not unanimous as a member of the Governing Board voted for 25 basis points cut. With the announcement Banxico completed a year with interest rate reductions. The current cycle began in August 2019, when the benchmark went from 8.25 to 8 percent.

Delays on new traffic light

Given delays incorporating all governors’ proposals the new COVID-19 risk traffic light will be presented tomorrow, and will come into force next week, Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell has reported. In a virtual meeting with governors and Minister of the Interior (SEGOB) Olga Sánchez Cordero, López-Gatell said yesterday it was not possible to vote the new methodology.

Border closure extends until September

Minister of Foreign Affairs (SRE) Marcelo Ebrard estimated that the closure of the US-Mexican border for non-essential travelling will last until September. The Chancellor warned there is resurgence of the new virus in the US, so the border will be restricted for the fifth month. Only trading, emergencies and legal affairs can justify crossing the border.

Most expensive condition for insurers

COVID-19 health care has ranked as the most expensive condition for insurance companies in the last five months, AMIS has reported. According to figures from the insurance institutions group COVID-19 cost is already around MX$429,000 (US$19,300) on average, followed by acute respiratory diseases with MX$365,821 pesos.

Rocío Nahle tests positive

Ministry of Energy (Sener) Rocío Nahle, tested positive for COVID-19, the official has reported.

The official said she has no symptoms and that will return to normal activities as soon as the virus disappears. “I am in isolation. Fortunately, I am fine, without symptoms and following the recommended treatment,” Nahle tweeted.

UN warns on violence

Rising COVID-19 cases in the world could lead to an increase in existing conflicts and the emergence of others, which also threatens the progress of the fight against global poverty and the construction of peace, UN’s head Antonio Guterres has warned today.

WHO rules out food risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) ruled out that the COVID-19 can be transmitted through food, after reports in China regarding virus particles in food imported from Brazil.