Share

July 23, 2020 Brazil recorded a record number of new Covid-19 cases: 67,860 in 24 hours and 1,284 deaths. The data were released by the National Council of Health Secretaries and the Ministry of Health as reported by the local media. Among the most affected states, that of São Paulo, which recorded 16,777 new cases, the second largest increase on a daily basis since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, President Jair Bolsonaro spoke to supporters, wearing the mask, after testing positive for Covid for the third time in a row. In Mexico, however, 6 thousand new cases were recorded for a total of 362,274. The death toll rose to 41,190. In Latin America, cases of contagion have exceeded 4 million. 

In Australiain the state of Vittoria, another 403 new cases in the last 24 hours. While in China there were 22 for a total of 83,729. Deaths stop at 4,634.

South Africa: 572 deaths in 24 hours. Restaurateurs against lockdown
A new record has also been recorded in South Africa where 572 deaths have occurred in the last 24, thus bringing the total budget to 5,940 according to data reported by the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, restaurant owners in the tourist areas of the country took to the streets to protest the reintroduction of the lockdown and the ban on selling alcohol decided by the authorities to contain the spread of Covid-19.The images shared online show the owners of street food businesses in Cape Town with empty chairs and tables and with signs such as "The lockdown is for wartime not for restaurants", which warn of the risk of restrictive measures for employment. 

Saudi Arabia: Haj approaches between limitations
The haj this year will be a moment of sadness for many Muslims around the world who have been prevented from going to Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, but the decision to honor the Local health and security personnel at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus has garnered a lot of praise. For the first time in the modern era, among efforts to curb Covid-19, Muslims from abroad will not be able to participate in the pilgrimage. This year's event was limited to around 1,000 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, 70 percent of whom will be foreign residents in the kingdom. The remaining 30 percent will be chosen by Saudi health workers and security personnel who have recovered from the coronavirus as a gesture of thanks for their sacrifice.

Those who are chosen will receive supplies including special clothing and a prayer rug. They will be required to keep social distances. About 2.5 million Muslims generally visit the holy places of Islam in Mecca and Medina for the one-week pilgrimage, which will begin on July 28th. Usually an extremely crowded event. Official figures show that Umrah's haj and pilgrimage make the kingdom collect about $ 12 billion a year. Minimizing the event will damage government finances, already affected by falling oil prices and the pandemic. 

Egypt extends bar and restaurant hours
Egypt has extended the opening hours of bars and restaurants from 10pm to midnight, allowing them to operate at 50 percent of their capacity starting July 26, the government said in a statement. The operating hours of the shops, including shopping centers, have been extended until 10 pm, the press release states. Egypt had reduced business hours to its initial reopening to limit public meetings and curb the spread of the coronavirus. 

WHO: "We don't expect vaccine before 2021"
"Realistically, we will only see people vaccinated at Covid-19 in the early months of next year," not before. "WHO emergency program director Mike Ryan said, in a press briefing. "We must be able to look our communities in the eye and assure them that we have taken all possible precautions, so that the vaccine is safe and effective before we can distribute it," he said.