28th July 2020 - Wilson James
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28th July 2020 o19
HIGHLIGHTS
• Worldwide cases of COVID-19 have now surpassed 16 million with the globally tally now at 16,652,435
cases and 656,678 deaths, with 10,242,657 having recovered according to Worldometer.
• Reuters have reported that almost 40 countries have recorded, record breaking single-day increases in
COVID-19 infections over the past week. The report suggests that the pandemic is increasing in every
region of the world.
• COVID-19 cases in Latin America passed the combined recorded cases of the virus in Canada and the
United States for the first time on 26th July. The region now accounts for over 25% of total worldwide
cases.
• The World Health Organisation has warned that Malaria cases in sub-Saharan Africa could more than
double this year due to disruptions in treatment and prevention programmes as a result of COVID-19.
• Travellers entering the UK from Spain will be required to quarantine for 14 days from Sunday 26th July.
This decision comes after a surge of almost 900 new cases in Spain were reported on Friday 24th. The
Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain.
• Another localised outbreak has been reported in England with twenty-one new cases of COVID-19 being
confirmed at a caravan park in the town of Craven Arms, Shropshire. All residents of the campsite have
been asked to quarantine for 14-days and those who have tested positive are quarantining for seven days.
• Two million people in the UK are awaiting cancer screenings or treatment with waiting lists becoming
longer due to the prioritisation of COVID-19 by the National Health Service.
• China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in its south-western city of Chengdu as a direct
response to the closing of one of its own consulates in Houston. Both actions seem to demonstrate an
increase in tensions between the two nations.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020COVID-19
TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES TOTAL DEATHS PATIENTS RECOVERED
16,652,435 656,678 10,242,657
28.07.2020 - Worldometer
COVID-19 - UK
• The total confirmed UK COVID-19 cases as of 28th July is 300,111 with 45,759 deaths. Latest figures can
be found here.
• Gyms, swimming pools, and other indoor leisure facilities have now reopened in England for the first
time since March. Venues must follow strict social distancing and hygiene regulations including limiting
the number of visitors. However, it is thought that at least a third of these facilities have chosen not to
reopen for the time being. Gyms in Northern Ireland had already reopened last month but remain
closed in both Scotland and Wales.
• Travellers entering the UK from Spain will be required to quarantine for 14 days from Sunday 26th July.
This decision comes after a surge of almost 900 new cases in Spain were reported on Friday 24th. The
Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel to mainland Spain.
• Two million people in the UK are awaiting cancer screenings or treatment with waiting lists becoming
longer due to the prioritisation of COVID-19 by the National Health Service.
• The charity London Youth has found that 31% of youth clubs in the city could struggle to operate within
six months, with 27% saying they were in difficulty with running costs and 47% saying they have had to
furlough staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With almost a third of youth clubs in danger of shutting
down there is fear of a new childcare crisis.
• Despite there being at least 540 health and social care workers across England and Wales who have died
as a result of COVID-19 only 51 families have filed claim forms for the taxpayer funded bereavement
scheme offering £60,000 in compensation. Of these 51, 19 have so far been approved and 32 are still
under consideration.
• Another localised outbreak has been reported in England with twenty-one new cases of COVID-19 being
confirmed at a caravan park in the town of Craven Arms, Shropshire. All residents of the campsite have
been asked to quarantine for 14-days and those who have tested positive are quarantining for seven
days.
Useful Information Sources
UK wide – Public Health England
Scotland – Scottish Government
Northern Ireland – NISRA
COVID-19 deaths in England & Wales – ONS
COVID-19 Statistics – Worldometer – Johns Hopkins University
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020COVID-19- OTHER COUNTRIES
Brazil
President Jair Bolsonaro has announced he has tested negative for coronavirus following three positive results
earlier this month.
Belgium
Another surge in COVID-19 cases has been seen in Belgium. Nationally the infection rate is 26.9 per 100,000
people. However, in Antwerp it is 67.9 per 100,000. It is thought that Belgian officials are keen on avoiding
another national lockdown, but we can expect to see tighter measures imposed in Antwerp and other regions
experiencing elevated infection rates.
Costa Rica
The Costa Rican Health Ministry have reported record breaking single-day COVID-19 cases and deaths on 25th
July having recorded 931 cases and 11 deaths. So far July has seen 72% of all confirmed cases in the country.
France
In the wake of another surge of COVID-19 cases in France, the French government has announced that they
will be making COVID-19 PCR nasal swab tests free of charge, and available without a prescription.
Germany
The German government are said to be considering making COVID-19 tests mandatory for holidaymakers who
are returning to the country from high-risk destinations. The potential new measures come after the country
recorded a two-month high of new infections on 25th July.
Greece
Those visiting Greece by air from Bulgaria and Romania will now have to provide proof they have tested
negative for the COVID-19 virus before being permitted entry to the country. The new measures will be in
effect from 28th July to 4th August.
Ghana
The President of Ghana has announced further relaxation of lockdown restrictions. The announcement allows
gatherings in place of worship to be extended from one hour to two hours. Tourist sites, attractions and open-
air drinking spots have also been allowed to re-open. However, beaches, pubs, cinemas, and nightclubs must
remain closed for the time being.
North Korea
North Korea has declared a state of emergency after reporting what it says is its first suspected case of COVID-
19. Leader Kim Jong-un convened an emergency meeting with top officials after a defector thought to be
infected illegally re-entered the country from South Korea, according to state news outlet KCNA. The border
city of Kaesong has now been placed under lockdown. KCNA did not confirm whether the individual was tested
but said they have been placed in quarantine and efforts are being made to trace anyone they may have come
into contact with. Leader Kim Jong-un has also launched an investigation promising “a severe punishment” for
anyone who assisted the individual’s illegal border crossing. Earlier this month, Mr Kim said the country’s
response to the pandemic was a “shining success.”
Morocco
Morocco has banned travel to and from some of its major cities to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Travel
restrictions have been effective as of Monday 27th July and apply to the cities of Tangier, Tetouan, Fez,
Meknes, Casablanca, Berrechid, Settat and Marrakesh.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020Papua New Guinea
The WHO and military have been called in to help by Papua New Guinea’s government after the country’s
pandemic chief warned that the outbreak could overwhelm the country.
South Korea
On 25th July, South Korea recorded a single day increase in COVID-19 infections of 113 new cases, the highest
single day increase since 31st March.
Spain
A UK government source has confirmed that talks are underway regarding the introduction of air bridges with
the Balearic and Canary Islands following a change in quarantine rules over the weekend. An air bridge would
mean that people arriving from the islands would not have to quarantine for the 14-day period. It is hoped
that a decision will be made by Friday 31st July.
Vietnam
Vietnam has reported its first locally transmitted case of COVID-19 infection in 100 days. A 57-year-old man in
the central city of Danang tested positive on Friday 24th July and was reported to be in a critical condition. It is
not yet known where he contracted the virus, however, officials have been working to trace anyone he may
have come into contact with. 103 people connected to the man have been tested and all results were
negative, with 50 of these placed in isolation. In total, Vietnam has reported 417 cases of COVID-19 and zero
deaths.
South Africa
South Africa are expected to see their peak-infection period imminently. The impending peak of the virus
comes with allegations of government looting of funds delegated for personal protective equipment, food
parcels for those who cannot afford to feed themselves and their families and benefits for those who find
themselves unemployed as a result of the pandemic. In an address to the nation last week President Cyril
Ramaphosa promised fast action against anyone found guilty of corruption.
Vietnam
Authorities in Vietnam have made the decision to close Da Nang to tourists after 15 new COVID-19 cases were
recorded there. So far Vietnam has reacted successfully to the virus with 400 cases recorded and no deaths.
Tourists may not enter the city for 14 days and 80,000 visitors are to be flown home.
United States of America
The National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien has tested positive for COVID-19. Mr O’Brien is the highest
ranking official to contract the virus so far and it is unclear the last time the Security Advisor met with
President Trump. However, it has been said in a statement that there was no risk of exposure to President
Trump or Vice President Mike Pence.
Uganda
Uganda has confirmed its second COVID-19 death while the country gradually continues to ease restrictions.
Uganda confirmed its first death from the virus last week, so far, the country has recorded 1,115 cases of
COVID-19
Zambia
MP Princess Kasune Zulu has tested positive for COVID-19. Ms Zulu is also living with HIV and is an HIV activist
in Zimbabwe. So far 15 Zambian MPs have tested positive for the virus and Ms Zulu has stated that she is not
surprised by the test results given that Zambia’s parliament had initially continued holding sittings despite the
rise in infection rate.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020WORLD NEWS
Australia
Organisers of a Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney have urged the Supreme Court of New South Wales to
allow their planned march to go ahead even given the issues surrounding COVID-19. Police are trying to
prohibit the march due to fears that it will not be possible to enforce social distancing due to COVID-19. The
protest is due to take place on Tuesday July 28th. Protestors argue that the right to protest is part of
democracy even in a pandemic and would still seek to social distance on the march. A prohibition order would
not ban the march, due to go from Sydney Town Hall to Parliament House, but would leave protestors open to
criminal charges for breaching public health orders.
In a continued deterioration of relationships between China and Australia, the Australian government have
joined the United States in a declaration filed with the United Nation’s on 24th July stating that China’s claims
to the South China Sea are contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Afghanistan
New figures released by the United Nations state that almost 1,300 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan in
the first six months of the year, this figure includes hundreds of children. The figures were realised as part of a
report by the UN mission in Afghanistan which claims that the country remains one of the deadliest conflicts
for civilians in the world.
Brazil
The number of fires in the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetlands, in Brazil has tripled in 2020
compared to last year according to Brazil’s space agency. Earlier in July the Brazilian president introduced a
ban on fires in the area for the next four months. The area is one of the most biodiverse in the world.
China
China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in its south-western city of Chengdu as a direct response to
the closing of one of its own consulates in Houston, USA. China’s foreign ministry have said that they have
closed the consulate as staff there “interfered in China’s internal affairs and endangered China’s security and
interests”. They have said the closure of the consulate was a “legitimate and necessary response” to actions
taken by the US. On Friday 24th July, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo made a statement urging China to
“cease these malign actions rather than engage in tit-for-tat retaliation” but was responded too by the Chinese
as a Cold War mentality. Neither side look willing to give any ground, both blaming the other for the escalating
tension. The US closed the Chinese consulate after accusing China of stealing both American and European
intellectual secrets, something China denies.
France
The French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced on 25th July that new powers for police would allow the
introduction of on-the spot fines for some drug offences amidst an increase in drug related crimes across the
country.
Hungary
Thousands of protesters marched outside of Prime Minister, Viktor Orban’s, office on 24th July to demonstrate
against the curtailing of press freedoms in the country. The protests come after the sacking of the Chief Editor
from the country’s leading independent news website, Index. After the sacking three of the websites editors,
as well as 80 journalists, resigned in protest against what they considered to be intensified efforts to muzzle
critical voices by the Nationalist Hungarian government.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020Iran
Iranian media say at least one US fighter jet has come close to an Iranian passenger jet is Syrian airspace. The
plane was forced to quickly change altitude, injuring passengers, and leaving them in fear for their lives. A
spokesman for US Central Command said on Thursday 23rd July that a US F-15 did indeed conduct a “standard
visual inspection” at a safe distance of approximately 1,000 metres. Iran are currently investigating the
situation. The aircraft did land safely in the Lebanese capital of Beirut before flying back to Tehran. The plane
was one of Iranian’s private airlines, Mahan Air. They have been in the news recently for flying to destinations
where a flight ban was in place and spreading COVID-19. In 2019 several European countries had banned the
airline from operating at their airports.
Iraq
At least two people have been killed during anti-government protests in Baghdad. The protests were against
corruption, unemployment, and poor public services. The deaths were reported by human rights monitors on
Monday 27th July and are the first to be reported since the new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was sworn
into office in May.
Israel
The Israeli army have said that one of their drones has crashed inside Lebanon. The drone crashed during an
“IDF operational activity” along the border, however, they have said in a statement that there is no concern
that any information was leaked. Tensions between the two countries have been rising recently after a fighter
from the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah was killed in an apparent strike in Damascus.
Jordan
Leading members of the opposition-run teachers union, the Jordanian Teachers Syndicate, were arrested by
Jordanian Security forces on 25th July for incitement after a speech on 22nd criticising the Prime Minister and
Jordanian government. The union is reported to have 100,000 members and was responsible for shutting
down schools across Jordan for a month last year after strikes over a pay dispute.
Poland
The Polish government have announced plans to withdraw from the European treaty on violence against
woman next week after the Justice Minister said that the treaty violated parent’s rights by requiring schools to
teach about gender. The announcement was met with protests attended by thousands, mostly women, in
Warsaw.
Russia
Russia’s defence ministry says that accusations from the UK and the US, about the use of a satellite weapon in
space, are “distorted”. They say the test carried out on the 15th July did not create a threat to any other
aircraft and that they had been using new technology to perform checks on their space equipment. The US
state Department still maintains they have observed Russia having an orbiting anti-satellite weapon.
Next week the United States and Russia will hold their first formal talks in regard to space security since 2013.
Christopher Ford, the US assistant secretary of State for international security and non-proliferation has told
reporters that the Unites states believe that Russia and China have already turned space into a war fighting
domain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Russian Navy will soon be armed with hypersonic nuclear
strike weapons and underwater nuclear drones as the defence ministry enter their final phase of testing.
Somalia
The Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, has been ousted from parliament after a no-confidence vote on
25th July. Since the beginning of the pandemic the Prime Minister and President have been engaged in a power
struggle over whether national elections should be delayed, with the former wanting elections to go ahead
and the latter favouring postponement. The former deputy Prime Minister, Mahdi Mohamed Guled, will
temporarily act in the capacity of the Prime Minister.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020South Africa
South African police have rearrested dozens of inmates after a mass escape at a prison north of Cape Town.
Nearly seventy inmates, who were awaiting trial, broke out on Friday 24th July, overpowered guards and
escaped through the main entrance and over the roof. Police immediately launched a manhunt and rearrested
sixty one of the sixty-nine escapees.
Sudan
On 25th July, at least 22 villagers were killed and a further 22 injured after an unidentified militia attacked a
village in South Darfur. In neighbouring North Darfur, a state of emergency was declared on 13th July due to
increased violent activities by militias in the area.
Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have both discussed and
agreed on a ceasefire which started on the 27th July. Full ceasefire was agreed between government forces
and pro-Russian separatists, putting a stop to the military conflict in eastern Ukraine which has claimed 13,000
lives since 2014.
United Kingdom
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that Britain will boost its ability to handle threats from Russia and
china from space, as part of a review of the Security and Defence policy conducted by the UK government. The
Government have said that there are worries about a Russian Satellite test, which involved the launch of a
device which is said to ‘have the characteristics of a weapon’.
United States of America
A Singaporean man has pleaded guilty in the US to working as an agent of China. On Friday 24th July a man
known as Dickson Yeo, real name Jun Wei Yeo, pleaded guilty in a federal court to working as an illegal agent
for the Chinese government.
Two statues of Christopher Columbus have been temporarily removed in Chicago, a week after protestors
attempted to topple statues of the explorer in the city.
During a Black lives matter demonstration on Friday 24th July, Federal agents fired tear gas at participants in
downtown Portland. The use of tear gas was deployed after a group of protestors lit a fire at the entrance of
the federal courthouse.
US Republicans have proposed a further £776 billion to aid the recovery of economic damage caused by the
pandemic. The plan is inclusive of $100 billion for school and stimulus payments of up to $1,200 to most
Americans.
United Arab Emirates
Qatar have announced that they plan to bid for the 2032 Olympic games. This would be the first time that a
Middle Eastern nation would organise the games. On Monday 27th July, the Qatar Olympic committee
announced that they had submitted a request to join non-committal ‘continuous dialogue’ about hosting the
Olympic and Paralympic games as early as 2032
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020INSIGHTS
Our Risk Advisory Service regularly publish articles and advisories covering myriad subjects. These publications
can be found within our Insights section on our Risk Advisory Service website.
THE UK’S ‘BETTER HEALTH’ CAMPAIGN
On Monday 27th July, the UK announced its ‘Better Health’ campaign touted to cost £10 million. The campaign
has been developed in earnest since Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital with COVID-19,
with his weight, in part, contributing to the seriousness of his condition. In addition to this, although not
raising the likelihood of contracting the virus, a Public Health England report has found a connection between
a person’s Body Mass Index and the seriousness of the virus. The report found that ‘the risks of hospitalisation,
intensive care treatment, and death all “seem to increase progressively with increasing BMI above the healthy
weight range”. Studies suggest that those with a BMI of between 35 and 40 have a 40% increased chance of
death from COVID-19, with those who’s BMI is over 40 increases their likelihood by 90%. Whilst many factors
can increase the likelihood of death from COVID-19, the Public Health England report has pointed to weight as
‘one of the few modifiable risk factors for COVID-19’. The findings by Public Health England are all the more
concerning when taking into account that nearly two-thirds of adults in England are classed as overweight or
obese and in 2018/19 900,000 were admitted to hospital for obesity related illnesses, which costs the NHS
more than £6 billion a year.
The new ‘Better Health’ campaign hopes to reach 35 million people to modify lifestyles and, to an extent,
ensure that the country is better prepared for a second wave of COVID-19. As part of the campaign NHS
weight loss services will be expanded to reach more people that will include a 12-month weight loss plan as
well as a cycling ‘prescription’ from GP’s in pilot areas. The cycling pilot scheme will see surgeries provide
access to bikes as well as a pledge from the government to improve cycling infrastructure such as cycle lanes,
low traffic neighbourhoods and secure cycle parking. Further measures under the new scheme will also include
the banning of junk food adverts on TV before the 21:00 watershed, a ban on online adverts for unhealthy
foods, limitations on in-store promotions, and the requirement for restaurants to put calorie labels on their
menus. The campaign is also expected to include a substantial advertisement drive using TV, Radio, billboards,
social media, and traditional print media. When considering both the long- and short-term implications of an
overweight society, it is important that now more than ever people reconsider their lifestyles.
SURGE IN LITTER FOLLOWING LOCK-DOWN
At the beginning of lockdown, photos on social media and the news presented an optimistic silver lining of the
pandemic as nature seemingly thrived without humans around to litter and pollute. However, for every
hopeful image of fish returning to the unusually clear canals of Venice, or of blue skies over normally smoggy
cities, there are more of thoughtlessly discarded PPE or overflowing bins that prove nature is yet to “reclaim”
our towns and cities.
This is especially true now that lockdown measures begin to ease across the world, and the use of Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) becomes more widespread – especially now that face coverings are required to be
worn in shops and/or on public transport in the UK. The charity Keep Britain Tidy have warned that Britain may
see a “littering epidemic” as people excitedly flock to the beaches, parks, and other outdoor spaces they have
been unable to visit for months. The charity’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, has said the littering of
disposable face masks and gloves is particularly “heart-breaking, wrong, and thoughtless” because it could
potentially lead to a further spread of the virus. Read more.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020RUSSIA IN FOCUS
The Intelligence and Security Committee in Parliament published their report on Tuesday 21st July, outlining
the threat of Russian interference on UK politics, with a focus on UK elections and referendums. The report
criticised the lack of action from the government for failing to investigate possible Russian interference in both
the Scottish independence and Brexit referendums, saying it “badly underestimated” the threat. The report
also claimed the government made no effort to investigate Russian interference in the EU referendum. The
committee was very blunt in its blaming of successive conservative governments, not intelligence agencies, for
failing to act and that they would now have to “play catch-up”. It reported that Russian influence in the UK was
now “the new normal” and the UK was a “top Western intelligence target”. The report also mentions the
“exploitation” of the UKs investor visa scheme whereby wealthy Russians can obtain quicker visa applications
by making large financial donations.
The question remains as to why the report was released now and not sooner? What political capital can the
government hope to gain? The report has been available since October 2019, before the general election,
which some think was the reason for its delay, as any backlash may have affected the conservative vote at the
time. It may be one of the reasons former Chair of the Committee, Dominic Grieve, who was vocal in his favour
of releasing the document, being removed from his post. It is one thing for intelligence agencies and even
governments to know about Russian interference, if this was indeed the case in this instance as a criminal
investigation is still underway, but another to call them out on it. If the UK government knew about the
problem for ten months, then some serious questions need to be asked as to why they have been allowed to
sit on a document that has such a profound national security interest; not least the impression it gives to our
special relationship with US intelligence agencies. Read more.
UK PASSPORT BACKLOG
Many Brits will be planning to get away for a bit of summer sun as soon as possible, but as travel restrictions
gradually lift around the world, Brits now have another barrier to contend with; getting your passport
renewed. Currently, there is a huge backlog of more than 400,000 passport applications caused by the COVID-
19 pandemic. The Home Office have said that due to social distancing restrictions, passport applications were
taking longer to process than usual but they are now taking steps to increase capacity and try and clear the
backlog as travel restrictions continue to be lifted around the world. Those applying for a passport may have to
wait longer than the average three weeks and the Passport Office is advising that only people travelling before
September 2020, or people travelling on compassionate grounds should apply for a passport at the moment.
Baroness Williams said that as of the 7th July, the Passport Office was working on about 126,000 passport
applications, a 31% increase in applications compared to this time last year. Overall, The Passport office has
seen an increase of 172% in passport applications from the same period last year. Typically, passport
applications take anywhere between three to six weeks, members of the public have been taking to social
media to express their disappointment at the delayed service, with some claiming to wait more than two
months. The Home Office has advised that those who can apply at a later date should and advises that people
should not book travel without a valid passport.
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WORLD NEWS -19/RAS/28th July 2020COVID19@wilsonjames.co.uk / riskadvisory@wilsonjames.co.uk @WJltd @WJ_Ltd www.linkedin.com/company/wilson-james
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