COVID-19 Outbreak: Weekly Global Report for Friday, September 18, 2020
AdvaMed recognizes that its members, particularly those with global government affairs responsibilities, are tracking COVID-19 related developments around the world to assess the public health and economic impacts on their businesses. Knowing that companies are consuming information from a variety of sources, AdvaMed's global team would like to provide members with a weekly snapshot of the key statistics, policy developments and advocacy initiatives underway in our priority markets. If you have any suggestions, we welcome your feedback.
Global
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics- global cases reached 30.2 million, nearly a 2 million increase over the previous week. Deaths around the world exceeded 947,000 The countries with the most reported cases continue to be the U.S. (6.6 million), India (5.2 million), and Brazil (4.4 million).
- U.S. cases exceeded 6.1 million with deaths increasing to 197,000.
- Staff Contact: Ralph Ives (rives@advamed.org).
China
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics –China’s total COVID cases now stand at 90,291 (an increase of 185 over the previous week) and deaths at 4,737 (an increase of 4 over the previous week).With localized outbreaks now under control, most new cases have been linked to foreign arrivals.
- The State Council has called for urgent preparations to combat the virus during the autumn and winter months. Priority measures include: enhanced customs inspections (notably of “carrier” foods like fresh seafood imports), more efficient and accurate nucleic acid testing platforms, and more rigorous management of quarantined areas.
- The Chinese economy performed better than expected in August, according to government statistics. Exports experienced a noticeable rebound in July and August, as other large manufacturing nations struggle with COVID fallout. Consumption levels have continued to rise.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that hospitals have been gradually resuming elective/regular surgeries and operations appear to be at 80-90% of pre-COVID levels, with this range varying by particular medical condition of the patient and geographical area.
- U.S.-China relations remain strained. The Commerce Department on Sept. 18 released its prohibitions on WeChat pursuant to President Trump’s EO; the scope of the restrictions appear limited to U.S. territory and do not extend to WeChat activity by U.S. individuals/companies in China. The Phase One trade deal remains intact and has emerged as a key area of cooperation. China continues to make record buys of U.S. farm products, most notable soybeans.
- Staff Contact: Kyle Churchman (kchurchman@advamed.org)
India
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics – 5,122,846 total cases, 1,009,976 active cases/83,198 deaths as compared to 4,462,965 total cases, 919,018 active cases/75,062 deaths last week. India crossed the five million total COVID-19 cases mark on Wednesday, Sep 16 after exceeding the four million mark less than two weeks ago. India has now become the global COVID-19 hot spot with the fastest growing caseload.
- The Union Health Ministry issued new protocols on Sunday, Sep 13 saying that patients who recovered from acute COVID-19 may continue to have symptoms like fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing.
- Aurobindo Pharma on Tuesday, September 15 announced a collaboration with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), set up by the Department of Biotechnology for the development of COVID-19 vaccine. BIRAC has facilitated the establishment of 'the r-VSV vaccine' manufacturing platform for the first time in India by supporting Aurobindo Pharma's COVID-19 vaccine development, the company said in a regulatory filing.
- COVID India Campaign, a non-profit, volunteer-driven, disaster support task force has collaborated with Applied Materials India Private Limited to create low cost ventilator splitters and help support medical communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
- The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Wednesday, September 16 gave approval to the Serum Institute of India to resume local clinical trials of AstraZeneca’s potential COVID-19 vaccine.
- The Health Ministry on Sunday, September 13 said that it was considering granting an emergency authorisation for a COVID-19 vaccine, particularly for the elderly and people in high-risk workplaces, as the country’s number of reported infections passed 4.75 million.
- India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday, September 15 announced that India has received over USD 20 billion in FDI amid the coronavirus pandemic, showcasing the country as one of the most attractive destinations for investment globally.
- According to credit rating agency CRISIL, India’s real GDP growth will dive deeper to -9 per cent in fiscal 2021 against -5 per cent projected earlier. With the pandemic’s peak not yet in sight and the government not providing adequate direct fiscal support, Crisil said the downside risks to its earlier forecast have materialised.
- Staff Contact: Abby Pratt (apratt@advamed.org).
Japan
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics – 78,322 reported cases and 1,503 reported deaths compared to 74,738 reported cases and 1,429 reported deaths the previous week.
- Despite the growing number of cases, the new Japanese government has no plans to reinstate emergency measures.
- The growing caseload has had a severe impact on Japan’s hospitals. Some hospitals are cutting back or halting elective surgeries in order to deal with the influx of new cases. Nearly 70% of Japan’s hospitals are now operating in the red.
- According to a survey conducted by the Japan Public Hospital Federation of 1,481 member hospitals, patient visits in May 2020 were down by 24.9 percent, compared with one year ago.
- The majority of new cases are in Tokyo and are affecting people in their 20s and 30s.
- Japan currently has an entry ban in place for 111 countries and regions, with foreign travelers who have been to any of those areas within the last two weeks being turned away.
- Japan's Ministry of Health has adopted priority regulatory review procedures for new COVID-related medical devices.
- Japan will ban purchases from foreign companies of advanced medical device companies that are deemed essential to the national security in the fight against Covid-19. This measure is based on concerns about China but applies to companies from all countries. The government aims to ensure stable supply of essential devices that are vulnerable to contamination by infection, such as implants and dialyzers.
- Staff Contact: Phil Agress (PAgress@AdvaMed.org).
Korea
- South Korea’s number are again flattening, but are still at a level higher than they would like to see. (153 new cases per day). This remains low compared to many other countries.
- There are 22,657 total cases, 2,742 active cases, and 372 deaths. Korea is reporting 5 deaths per day, up from 2 deaths per day last week.
- Korea is bracing for the flu season coinciding with another wave of COVID-19, which may result in a dreaded “twindemic.” It is possible to catch both respiratory illnesses at the same time and health authorities last week confirmed a local case of coinfection with influenza and the new coronavirus. Korea’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) has stated that a patient had tested positive for both viruses. They indicated not much is known about the effect of the coinfection in clinical outcomes. Having more people get vaccinated against the flu will be a critical weapon in the fall and winter when the circulation of the virus peaks. Children under 18 and older adults aged 62 or above are eligible for flu shots free of charge under this year’s vaccination program. KDCPA is recommending that everyone with underlying medical conditions or otherwise at high risk of developing serious complications from the infection get a flu shot.
- The amount of money local retail investors have poured in the local and overseas stock markets has reached more than 100 trillion won ($85.2 billion), according to data released by the nation’s sole securities operator Korean Exchange on Thursday. Individual traders bought a total of 55.9 trillion won in the local market this year as of Wednesday. Of the total, 43.5 trillion won went to the main bourse Kospi, and the rest, or 12.4 trillion won, to the tech-heavy Kosdaq. Investor deposits at stock trading firms stood at 56.7 trillion won, up from 27.4 trillion won late last year.
- South Korea’s fiscal chief on Thursday asked the National Assembly to approve the recently submitted fourth supplementary budget bill by early next week, aiming at handing out emergency relief funds ahead of a September 30 holiday. He also pledged to help small business owners digitalize their operations by providing online delivery systems to offline stores and traditional markets, in an extended effort to revamp the economy in the post-coronavirus era. “Sept. 22 is the effective deadline (for the government) to execute the extra budget amount ahead of the Chuseok holiday,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki in a meeting of economy-related ministers. “We earnestly request that the National Assembly confirms the budget bill by then.” The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party have agreed to vote on the extra budget bill next Tuesday.
- South Korea has finalized a supplementary budget that will draw up a 7.8 trillion won ($6.57 billion) to shore up the economy. Cash subsidies for small businesses in the amount of 3.2 trillion won are among the items to be covered. Also included are a one-off 20,000 won subsidy for telecommunications bills for all South Koreans over the age of 13. The supplementary budget is ‘tailored emergency aid focusing on the industries and groups most heavily affected.’
- South Korea’s national debt is projected to surpass 800 trillion won ($682 billion) in the coming weeks, marking the first time in its history. The growth pace of the debt is proving serious in the wake of the government’s active allocation of supplementary budgets.
- South Korea maintains its 2-week quarantine for all other incoming international travelers and a requirement for all inbound flights to check passengers' temperatures. Anyone with a temperature over 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit) is denied entry. Korea has not issued any guidance on an exemption that is supposedly available. Korea has indicated all US inbound travelers will be tested for symptoms prior to being moved to quarantine.
- Korea appears to be moving toward implementation of a proposal that would potentially reduce the price of certain cardiac and peripheral stents. AdvaMed is in touch with members and the medtech association in Korea and has had several discussions with the US Government on this topic. We are sending a letter to the health ministry expressing opposition to the proposal. Please contact Joseph Gatewood (jgatewood@advamed.org) if you have an interest in this matter and are not already engaged.
- Resources: http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/.
- Staff Contact: Joseph Gatewood (jgatewood@advamed.org).
ASEAN
- Weekly COVID-19 statistics – ASEAN now has 585,394 reported cases and 14,304 reported deaths compared to 529,970 reported cases and 12,787 reported deaths the previous week.
- The Philippines and Indonesia account for 97.9% of the deaths from COVID-19 in the region. Indonesia’s total COVID-19 deaths exceed 9,200, the highest level in East Asia. The Philippines reported 4,785 deaths.
- Cambodia, and Laos have each reported zero deaths, while Brunei has reported 3 deaths, Singapore has reported 27 deaths (despite having over 57,000 cases), and Thailand has reported 58 deaths. All of these totals are unchanged from the previous week.
- Myanmar reported a spike of new cases, and the death toll has risen to 46. Yangon has become the center of the country’s epidemic.
- Vietnam’s outbreak in Danang several weeks ago followed 100 days without any locally transmitted cases and led to its first COVID-19 fatalities (35 reported to date). Following strong measures to contain the outbreak, the number of cases in Vietnam grew by only 7 over the past week. Nonetheless, it has postponed plans to resume international air routes with China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Laos until further notice. Local authorities are still working to finalize health protocols for travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Malaysia has imposed an entry ban on citizens of countries recording more than 150,000 cases of COVID-19. International chambers of commerce, including AmCham and EuroCham, have urged the Malaysian government to reconsider the entry ban.
- Elective surgeries have resumed in Thailand and Vietnam.
- In Indonesia, provincial hospitals are resuming elective surgery with COVID-19 protocols in place.
- Malaysia maintains limits on elective surgery except in emergency cases.
- Singapore restricts most elective surgeries but allows certain procedures including cancer screening, surgical operations for advanced cataracts, flu vaccinations, and dental procedures. The government has lifted measures requiring doctors and healthcare workers in the public and private sectors to limit their movements across healthcare institutions.
- Indonesia has lifted the ban on export of medical devices for COVID-19 purposes. At the same time, President Jokowi has called for an end to PPE imports as the country is capable of manufacturing them locally. Indonesia has produced its own rapid test called RI-GHA COVID-19.
- In Indonesia, Jakarta returned to lockdown after its Governor confirmed that the capital is in crisis and needs tougher measures to battle COVID-19. New restrictions are scheduled to last for two weeks but may be extended.
- The Malaysian government relaxed its recent entry ban on expatriate and professional visit pass holders from 23 countries, provided they receive approval from the Malaysian Immigration Department and a support letter from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
- Malaysia and Singapore partially reopened their border on August 10. Both governments have agreed to implement a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA). The RGL will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries and the PCA will allow residents of Singapore and Malaysia who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to enter the country for work.
- Malaysia is considering fully reopening the Malaysia-Singapore border for daily commuters in January 2021 if conditions warrant.
- Singapore has agreed with Australia, Brunei, China, Malaysia, and Korea on fast-lane arrangements for essential travel.
- Singapore and Japan agreed to launch a Reciprocal Green Lane for essential business and official travel between the two countries on September 18.
- The Thai Government adopted a fifth phase of lockdown easing, allowing most daily activities and businesses to resume. It has lifted the ban on international flights and allows certain categories of individuals from Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore to enter the country. The Civil Aviation Authority will still apply stringent international travel restrictions preventing the entry of tourists.
- Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved another extension of the state of emergency nationwide until September 30.
- Staff Contact: Phil Agress (PAgress@AdvaMed.org)
Europe
There is some spiking in the case rates across the EU including Central and Western Europe. In Western Europe, cases are spiking worst in the UK and France. Spain leads the EU in cases and the UK leads the EU in deaths, followed by Italy and France. Although not in the EU, Russia's reported numbers on COVID are problematic. Russia remains the COVID hot spot in Europe, now reporting 1,085,281 cases, with just 19,061 reported deaths. By comparison, Italy, with much fewer (293,025) cases, reports 35,658 deaths.
|
|