Mexico is among the 10 countries with the highest COVID-19 death tolls

Global infections from the novel coronavirus have topped 17 million as the rate of new cases surges, particularly in the United States and Latin America, according to a tally on July 31.

One million new infections were recorded in only six days, according to the count based on official sources, just as countries start to unwind punishing lockdowns that have devastated their economies and thrown millions out of work.

The worldwide death toll from the disease that first emerged in China six months ago surpassed 563,000 as fears grow of a full-blown second wave, with the rate of contagion doubling since May 31.

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And while many hard-hit European countries have significantly curbed the rise of cases, Latin America has been in the grip of an infection surge.

Mexico, among the 10 worst-hit countries by COVID-19

Despite Mexico’s efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease, including the reconversion of hospitals throughout the country to treat patients infected with COVID-19 , the purchase of tonnes of medical supplies from China as well as over 300 ventilators from the U.S., the coronavirus pandemic has infected 299,750 Mexicans to date ranking 6th in the list of the 10 countries with the highest COVID-19 infection rates, according to the John Hopkins coronavirus tally.

Mexico

recently implemented a four-color coding system to resume activities after COVID-19 in order to reactivate the economy.

The epidemiological four-step “traffic light” model is designed to resume non-essential activities. The four categories defined for the gradual reopening of activities are based on their social value: high and low in social value, as well as according to the number of people they involve.

Every week, Mexico's health authorities will inform the current color of the "traffic light" model in each state during the daily news conference to report the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, which is led by Mexico's coronavirus czar Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez.

Nevertheless, the IMF warned on its latest World Economic Outlook that Mexico’s economy will plummet 10.7% as the global economy faces the worst recession since the Great Depression due to the effects of the pandemic.

The International Monetary Fund is forecasting a nearly double-digit recession for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020—a contraction of 9.4%—as the region is dragged down by its two largest economies, Mexico and Brazil, which continue to suffer from the coronavirus.

The multilateral lending agency said in its report that in Latin America, “most countries are still struggling to contain infections.”

Mexico is among the 10 countries with the highest COVID-19 death tolls

on May 15 as the Latin American country struggled to cope with soaring numbers of infections and by May 21, Mexico joined the 10 countries with the highest COVID-19 death tolls, according to the John Hopkins coronavirus tally.

As of July 31, the United States has registered 153,138 fatalities, followed by Brazil with 92,475, and Mexico with 46,688 COVID-19 related deaths.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has 46,204 COVID-19 related deaths to date while India has 35,745 fatalities .

Italy has 35,141 fatalities, followed by France with 30,268 COVID-19 related deaths, Spain with 28,445 deaths, Peru with 18,816, and Iran with 16,766.

In spite of the projections, Mexico’s lockdown will be partially lifted depending on how the pandemic has affected each municipality, although elders and other vulnerable groups from all over the country are urged to stay home.

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