Risk Assessment Report – 31 july 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 31 july 2020
Rapid Risk Assessment
July 31, 2020
Risk Assessment Report – 31 july 2020
Time Period Covered July 31, 2020 - July 31, 2020
- Worldwide, there have been over 17.4 million reported cases and more than 674,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Of the cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic, roughly 53% of cases have been reported in the Americas region, 20% in Europe, 11% in Southeast and Southern Asia, 9% in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 4% in Africa and 2% in the Western Pacific region. As of July 29, Africa has reported over 750,000 cases and over 12,000 deaths. As Africa approaches one million cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning against easing restrictions across the continent. Over the past month, cases in Africa have doubled with South Africa accounting for the majority of reported cases. The WHO Regional Director for Africa has stated that while some countries are doing well (including Uganda, Seychelles and Mauritius), other countries (such as Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) have been reporting rising numbers of new cases.
- The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening progress made towards eliminating hepatitis B. In observance of World Hepatitis Day on 28 July, WHO has called for united and fast-tracked action to stop mother-to-child transmission of viral hepatitis. “No infant should grow up only to die of hepatitis B because they were not vaccinated” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros.
- Brunei reported no new cases of COVID-19 for 85 consecutive days on Thursday (July 30) with cases remaining at 141.
- Indonesia’s COVID-19 task force has called on workplaces to implement workfrom-home (WFH) policies, following reports of increasing numbers of COVID19 clusters in offices. The provision requiring workplaces to limit staff numbers to 50 percent of office capacity is already stipulated in Gubernatorial Regulation No. 51/2020 on the “transitional” period to the new normal. The regulation also requires businesses to develop systems to regulate the distribution of working days, working hours and work shifts. The Health Ministry announced 1,904 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday (July 30), bringing the total number of COVID-19 nationwide to 106,336.
- Vietnam, virus-free for months, was bracing for another wave of COVID-19 infections after state media reported new cases in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Highlands linked to a recent outbreak in the central city of Danang. According to the country’s Prime Minister, the current wave of infections was different to the second wave Vietnam fought in March and every province and city in the Southeast Asian country was at risk. He also said that tourist hubs throughout the country had to step up vigilance, and that Danang must go under "strict lockdown”. Hanoi's ruling body on Thursday (July 30) said that mass testing would be carried out until Saturday (August 1) among thousands of residents who recently returned from Danang. Non-essential businesses such as bars and nightclubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have also been closed since July 30 and July 31 respectively until further notice. Gatherings of more than 30 people have also been banned. Since July 29, provincial authorities in Quang Nam and Phu Yen have temporarily closed tourist attractions. Social distancing measures have also been imposed in Hoi An and Dak Lak province. Da Nang authorities have suspended local food and drink businesses including takeaway and online sales from 1:00 pm on July 30.
Risk Assessment Report – 31 july 2020