Regional COVID-19 Updates – 19 Oct 2020
General:
The coronavirus remains active on human skin for nine hours, Japanese researchers have found, in a discovery they said showed the need for frequent hand washing to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 has spread around the planet, sending billions of people into lockdown as health services struggle to cope. Find out where the virus has spread, and where it has been most deadly.
The United States has recorded more than eight million cases of COVID-19, Johns Hopkins University said on Friday, a grim milestone that comes a little over two weeks before the presidential election on November 3.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/16/united-states-surpasses-8-million-covid-19-cases-johns-hopkins
Zambia:
Zambia moved closer to becoming the first African nation to default on its dollar bonds since the onset of the coronavirus, making it a test case for nations worldwide battling to meet obligations to a range of lenders from bondholders to Chinese state banks.
South Africa:
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Sunday that he and his wife, Dr May Mkhize, both tested positive for Covid-19.
South Africa has recorded 1,928 new infections over the past 24 hours, pushing the national caseload firmly into the 700,000 zone.
Source: https://ewn.co.za/2020/10/18/sa-records-1-928-new-covid-19-cases-38-more-deaths
Covid-19 grant extension is a lifeline for asylum seekers
The world could see a Covid-19 vaccine in early 2021 – here’s who will get it and how: Even if a jab is shown to work, there won’t be enough doses for everyone. Countries such as South Africa would need to make tough decisions about who it would give the vaccine to – and more importantly how to create a system to get it to them.
Malawi:
Malawi has recorded a 57% increase in suicides since the start the coronavirus pandemic. Psychologists blame loss of hope in dealing with social distancing and economic problems from COVID-19.
Source: https://www.voanews.com/africa/rise-malawi-suicide-cases-linked-covid-19
Nearly 10,000 Malawians have made the long journey home from South Africa since May, according to Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs, with more due in coming months as the coronavirus eats deeper into the world economy.
Source: https://news.trust.org/item/20201016115127-qxmw4/
Health activist cautions Malawi citizens against Covid-19 laxity
Source: https://www.nyasatimes.com/health-activists-cautions-malawi-citizens-against-covid-19-laxity/
Mozambique:
Mozambique’s Deputy National Director of Public Health, Benigna Matsinhe, on Thursday announced the diagnosis of a further 145 cases of the Covid-19 respiratory disease.
Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202010160928.html
eSwatini:
Swaziland Faces Jobs and Poverty Crisis As Coronavirus Disruption Continues
Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202009230288.html
Namibia:
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, anti-femicide protesters are taking to the streets in Namibia.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/13/why-are-anti-femicide-protesters-demonstrating-in-namibia
Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases declining, says government
Source: https://enca.com/news/zimbabwes-covid-19-cases-declining-says-government
With Zimbabwe’s coronavirus infections on the decline, schools are reopening, along with churches, bars, restaurants, airports and tourist attractions. Strict lockdowns designed to curb the disease are being replaced by a return to relatively normal life.