Updated on 1 June 2020
The Situation: As of Monday, 1 June, there are 6,203,385 total cases across 188 countries globally, with 2,660,284 recoveries and 372,657 deaths. Social distancing and shelter in place directives are increasing and easing across the globe (location dependent). WHO warns of risks of “immediate second peak” as lockdowns are eased, and urges U.S. and Europe to step up testing and tracking measures. Experts are concerned that cooler weather patterns beginning in the Southern Hemisphere could possibly trigger a more intense transmission of Covid-19. Saying it is “very likely” that the virus will show a similar seasonal pattern to other coronaviruses and could be able to transmit more efficiently due to people changing lifestyle patterns (i.e. indoors more). Countries around the world beginning to ease lockdowns as daily infections and deaths slow while some are continuing to maintain and/or increase restrictions. 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.
Researchers suggest social distancing measures might be necessary into 2022 without an effective treatment or vaccine. Globally, countries – and in the U.S. state governors – begin to outline plans to restart their economies. Public health officials around the world say the only way to keep the death toll from growing quickly is to extend lockdowns.
Europe
Italy’s top doctor say the virus is losing potency in Italy (according to test sample results), therefore making it much less lethal.
France’s Covid-19 numbers continue to see a decline, number of hospitalized patients (including in ICU) continues to drop, daily death toll has stayed below 100 for 11 consecutive days.
U.K. hit its 200,000 capacity testing target on Saturday, as well as capacity for 40,000 antibody test per day.
Spain’s Prime Minister looking to extend lockdown one last time through 21 June, “to finish with the pandemic once and for all”. Has asked parliament to approve it. Goal of reopening by 21 June and allowing citizens to move freely in their regions until 1 July, then from 1 July on move freely throughout the country.
Eurasia
Russia reported 9,035 new cases on Monday, 162 new deaths. Epidemic growing outside of Moscow now as Moscow eases some lockdown measures Monday.
Asia
India extends lockdown measures until 30 June in “containment zones” – areas showing high infection numbers – while rest of country preps to reopen. Still seeing “record” rises in new case numbers. Reported 8,000 new cases on Sunday, a new single day record, after also having its deadliest week.
China reported 16 new cases on 31 May, the biggest rise since 11 May, after a number of cases were found among people who’d returned from Egypt.
South Korea reported 27 new cases Sunday, 21 of which were in Seoul metropolitan area. Transmissions linked to nightclub-goers and warehouse workers.
Middle East
Iran sees a recent upward trend of new cases as total passes 150,000. Sunday reported 2,516 new cases. Still, restrictions have largely been lifted.
3 March: WHO’s regional director for the eastern Mediterranean calls for countries in the region to “be more aggressive” in testing and tracing efforts
Africa
South African schools postpone reopening Monday after push back from teachers’ unions and governing associations say there is not enough PPE to keep teachers and students safe.
Egypt reported 46 deaths Sunday – up from 34 on Saturday – as well as 1,536 new cases. Has the highest death toll in the Arab world and 3rd in the Middle East behind Iran and Turkey.
17 April: WHO Africa – a tentative projection shows that cases in Africa could hit as many as 10 million in 3-6 months.
Oceania
Australia reopens zoos, museums and other public attractions as restrictions are eased further.
South/Central America
Latin America’s death toll pushes past 50,000
Brazil reported 480 deaths on Sunday, pushing toll to 29,314 and total cases over half a million. Has the 4thhighest death toll in the world behind U.S., U.K., and Italy.
Chile death toll passes 1,000 with 827 of those occurring in May alone. Reporting 99,688 confirmed cases and 1,054 deaths.
Unrest in prisons over conditions have been reported in several countries across Latin America.
Canada
U.S. and Canada agree to keep border closed to non-essential travel through 22 June, at least.
U.S.
U.S. cases rose to 1,792,512 confirmed cases, 104,435 total deaths and 444,758 recovered.
21 April: U.S. CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield, warns a second wave of coronavirus during next fall/winter’s flu season could be deadly and states should start preparing now.
On April 14, President Trump announced a temporary halt in funding to the World Health Organization until a review can be conducted on the WHO’s initial handling of COVID-19 in China.
Federal stay-at-home measures and social distancing guidelines were extended through 30 April.
Please note changes to the following chart: Numbers in (..) reflect ranking of country in the previous report on 26 May for comparison. 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.
Current CDC Travel Alerts for Covid-19:
o Level 3 – Avoid all nonessential travel – Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice – Widespread Ongoing Transmission - LINK
o See LINK for all current travel alerts by country
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) and/or sore throat
Fatigue
Chills sometimes with repeated shaking
Headache
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)
Mitigating Measures to Apply:
Monitor local authorities for updates
Avoid travel to or through China (including layovers) and specifically through Wuhan and Hubei province, Northern Italy, South Korea, certain areas in the United States and other notable hotspots where transmission is high or on the rise across the globe.
Avoid non-essential travel to areas where the infection is known or spreading rapidly
Travelers who return from infected areas should self-quarantine
Practice social distancing at the workplace and in public spaces
Consider work from home arrangements for employees in locations where the virus is spreading or if employees must transit through those areas
Employees who feel ill or who have flu-like, respiratory or other symptoms should consider self-quarantine and or stay at home instead of attending office or other functions
Weigh the risks of conducting large scale gatherings where the virus is located and the potential for attendees to transit through higher risk areas
Large scale gatherings should be avoided
Avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat)
Wash hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water isn’t available
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at higher risk and should speak to their healthcare provider before travel
Avoid exposure to those presenting the above symptoms
Avoid populated areas and gatherings if you feel ill (if at all possible)
Allow extra time for temperature screening at airports worldwide
Some airlines and airports may require use of a mask at the facility and while aboard the aircraft. Confirm with your airline current policies in place.
Enroll in a Safe Traveler Program to receive warnings from your preferred embassy
Seek medical care immediately if you experience symptoms and have recently traveled to the infected areas; notify your healthcare provider of your recent travel
Confirm travel schedule is not impacted by the coronavirus (including quarantines, which may be individually-imposed, visit/visa restrictions, entry/exit requirements and restrictions, etc.)
Ensure the validity of all visas prior to travel as this could be subject to restrictions and changes
Affected Travelers and others:
All travelers have the potential for exposure
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.
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