This is a period of disparity between international destinations with respect to travel impact. Globally, we have surpassed 11.4 million total confirmed cases. We have also noted that 54% of confirmed cases have recovered – increasing 3% since 29 June. Of the reported closed cases (7.1 million) 8% have died. Of the current active cases (almost 4.5 million) 1% are listed as serious or critical (over 58,700 cases).
We strongly encourage all leaders and individuals to comprehensively plan for return to work with integrated risk management protocols and practices and avoid rushing to failure.
Notable Statistics:
11,477,723 total cases across 188 countries globally – up from 10,173,722 cases on 29 June (1,304,001 case difference)
6,207,907 recoveries (54% of total cases) – up from 5,160,489 on 29 June
534,938 deaths (4.7% of total cases)– up from 502,517 on 29 June
Social distancing and shelter in place directives are changing across the globe (location dependent)
The Situation:
On Sunday, July 5, the WHO reported 212,000 new Covid-19 cases globally, the highest daily increase since the beginning of the outbreak - almost 130,000 of those cases were in the Americas.
The WHO to discontinue trial of drug hydroxychloroquine and combination HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir after they fail to reduce mortality.
More than 200 scientists from at least 32 countries are asking the WHO to take the possibility of airborne transmission more seriously.
On 1 June, the WHO warned of risks of “immediate second peak” as lockdowns are eased, and urges U.S. and Europe to step up testing and tracking measures.
Vaccine trials are under way in the U.S., Europe and China, but will take 12-18 months to be fully developed and released to the public. Officials say more than half dozen vaccine programs are in the clinical phase and over 80 are in preliminary phase.
Europe
EU opened up for leisure and business travel from 14 countries deemed ‘safe’ beginning last Wednesday
Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.
China may be included depending on reciprocity.
U.S., Russia, Turkey and Brazil have been left off for now and will be reviewed in two weeks at the soonest.
Italy opted out and said it would keep its quarantine measures in place for all countries not part of the Schengen area.
Switzerland makes masks mandatory on buses, taxis, train and ferries and all public transport starting Monday as it sees number of new cases start to pick up again.
Spain locked down northwest Galicia region, affecting some 70,000 people as all residents of town of La Marina will not be able to leave and gatherings of over 10 are banned due to resurgence in cases.
The day before, northeastern town of Lerida locked down 200,000 people after a “sharp rise” in cases.
Ireland to ease foreign travel restrictions starting 20 July.
Germany reported 239 new cases Sunday and only two deaths.
Eurasia
Russia reported 6,736 new cases and 134 deaths in last 24 hours.
Kazakhstan, one of the first Central Asian countries to lift restrictions, is re-imposing them after a surge in cases. Nationwide gyms, hairdressers, swimming pools and shopping centers have been closed again for next two weeks. At first reopening only had 9,000 cases (late May), now has over 47,000 and 188 deaths.
Asia
India reported 23,000 new cases Monday, pushing past Russia’s total confirmed cases and putting the country third in the world for confirmed cases. Caseload is now eight times that of China’s with similar population sizes.
Financial hub Maharashtra state is country’s hardest hit with its densely populated cities reporting big numbers: New Delhi – 99,000, Mumbai – 84,000 and Chennai – 68,000.
Nearly 70% of total cases were reported in June alone. End of May India was the 7th highest in cases in the world, up to 3rd today.
Reported new daily case record on Sunday with just shy of 25,000 new cases in 24 hours and 613 deaths.
China reported 8 new cases Saturday, 2 in Beijing and the rest imported.
Philippines reported highest single-day jump in new cases with 2,434. Total stands at 44,254 according to health minister.
Indonesia reported highest daily death toll with 82. 1,607 new cases were also reported.
Singapore reported 185 new cases Saturday, 8 of which were “unlinked”, had no known connection to an infected person. Total number of cases stands at 44,664, but death toll remains very low at 26.
South Korea reported new cases over 60/day for the 3rd straight day on Sunday. Case numbers outside of Seoul metropolitan area continue to grow.
Middle East
15 June: According to WHO and UN children’s agency UNICEF the disruption of essential nutrition and health services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could kill over 50,000 children under 5 in the region. A 40% increase over pre-Covid-19 numbers.
Israel orders over 30,000 to quarantine starting last Thursday amid virus surge.
Iran reported highest daily death toll with 163.
Serbia declared a state of emergency Friday in Belgrade after seeing highest rise in cases since April.
Greece closes border with Serbia as a result.
Saudi Arabia puts out protocols for this year’s Hajj, limiting pilgrims to domestic only and social distancing measures. Access to Hajj sites by permit only from 19 July to 2 August.
Dozens of U.S. diplomats and families leaving the country as cases continue to rise.
Pakistan reported 3,344 new cases on Sunday as total pushed past 231,818; 50 new deaths. Testing numbers are lower at about 22,000 tests on Sunday compared to over 31,000/day at the peak of testing. Mortality rate relatively low at 2.08%.
Pakistan’s health minister tests positive for Covid-19.
Africa
17 April: WHO Africa – a tentative projection shows that cases in Africa could hit as many as 10 million in 3-6 months.
Egypt silences its outbreak critics human rights groups report that at least 16 people including healthcare workers, have been arrested since February for articles to online posts.
Morocco reports a record number of new infections with 698, many of which were in a port city factory. Total pushes past 14,132.
Madagascar puts its Analamanga region, which includes the capital, back under lockdown as new cases surge again. From Monday through 20 July, no traffic will be allowed in or out of the region.
South Africa reported over 10,000 cases for a single-day high record. Has highest case numbers in Africa “by far” with 187,977. Death toll moves past 3,000.
Oceania
Australia’s Victoria state reported 127 new cases on Monday; now has 645 active cases and has sealed off a number of Melbourne suburbs and locked down nine public housing blocks in efforts to stop the spread.
Border with New South Wales will be closed starting Tuesday at mid-night.
South/Central America
Bolivia’s health minister, confirmed to have Covid-19, is 3rd member of the country’s cabinet to be have a confirmed case in four days.
El Salvador delays moving into Phase 2 by two more weeks (until 20 July) due to case numbers still rising. The country has seen some of the toughest lockdown measures in the Americas and seen 7,777 cases and 217 deaths.
Mexico’s death toll reached 30,639 as of Sunday, passing France.
Top five countries with highest death tolls: U.S.-129,946; Brazil – 64,867; U.K. – 44,305; Italy – 34,861; Mexico – 30,639
Brazil reported 37,923 new cases and 1,091 deaths on Saturday.
Unrest in prisons over conditions have been reported in several countries across Latin America.
Canada
U.S. and Canada extend border closure to non-essential travel through 21 July.
Members of U.S. Congress are pushing for phased reopening plans to be put in place.
U.S.
U.S. cases rose to 2,888,729 confirmed cases, 129,947 total deaths and 906,763 recovered.
U.S. reported 43,347 new cases on Sunday
Arizona and Nevada reported their highest hospitalization numbers to date
Texas continues to see record-breaking numbers of new cases and mayors of Austin and Houston warn that their healthcare systems could soon be overwhelmed.
Seven-day case averages in 12 states hit new highs, with Tennessee, West Virginia and Montana seeing the most significant spikes.
15 June: U.S. regional data showing that cases are slowing in the Northeast and Midwest, while rising in South and West. Increased testing is partially the cause.
Please note changes to the following chart: Numbers in parentheses reflect ranking of country in the previous report on 29 June. New countries to reach the top 25 and data are in red. New numbers are in red and numbers from last report are in black.
Travel Effects:
Many countries have urged citizens to reconsider travel or avoid nonessential travel
Specialized quarantines based on needs per country.
Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.
Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips.
Symptoms to Watch Out For:
Officials say the respiratory disease, is capable of spreading through human-to-human contact, droplets carried through sneezing and coughing, and germs left on inanimate objects. The virus might spread during the incubation period – which is believed to be from 1 to 14 days. Be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
High fever
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough (usually dry)
Sore throat
Chills sometimes with repeated shaking
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle aches or pain
Diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting
Loss of smell and/or taste (uncommon)
Confusion, stroke-like symptoms, and/or seizures (rare)
Pneumonia (secondary infection)
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless
Disclaimer: LSDS™ gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS™ (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.