GENERAL SITUATION IN MEXICO
Weekly Review # 50 I April 14, 2021
2
CONFIRMED CASES: 2,281,840
NEW CASES REPORTED: 1,627
DEATHS: 209,702
ACCUMULATED DEATHS PER DAY
SOURCE: https://www.gob.mx/salud/
DISTRIBUTION OF DEATHS PER STATE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC
Information updated on April 12, 2021 at 19:00 hrs local time.
3
INCREASE OF CONFIRMED CASES SINCE THE FIRST REPORT MAP WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE INCIDENCE RATE OF ACCUMULATED CASES OF COVID-19 BY ENTITY OF RESIDENCE.
National rate 1769.25
0 to 500 (1 states) 501 to 1,000 (5 states) 1,001 to 1,500 (11 states) 1,5001 to 2,000 (6 states) >2,000 (9 states)
Elaborated by Prodensa with information from the Health Ministry of Mexico
PANDEMIC’S SITUATION IN THE WORLD • As of April 12 2021, globally there have been reported confirmed 135,646,617 cases (675,707 new cases) of COVID-19 and 2,930,732 deaths (11,746 new deaths*). Lethal rate: 2.2%. • In the last 14 days, the number of new cases accounts for 6% (8,405,074) of the total of accumulated cases. *https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200323-sitrep-63-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=d97cb6dd_2
SOURCE: https://www.gob.mx/salud/
4
TOWARDS THE “NEW NORMAL” INCIDENTS OF CONTAGIONS IN THE POPULATION BY REGION AS OF APRIL 12
DEATH INCIDENTS IN POPULATION BY REGION AS OF APRIL 12
SOURCE: https://www.gob.mx/salud/
5
TOWARDS THE “NEW NORMAL”
The traffic light will be as follows:
SOURCE: https://www.gob.mx/salud/
6
KEY POINTS OF PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR’S Morning Press Conference April 6-13, 2021
VACCINATION PLAN Dr. Lopez-Gatell highlighted that 419,217 doses were applied on April 12. He indicated that the vaccination of the educational personnel of Campeche has already begun. He announced that the vaccination of people between 50 and 59 years of age will start at the end of the month. He commented that the objective is to reactivate public education, emphasizing that there needs to be a low epidemic intensity in the area. He estimated that 100% of the vaccination of older adults will be achieved during the beginning of next week. DEVELOPMENT OF A MEXICAN VACCINE Maria Elena Alvarez-Buylla, General Director of CONACYT, commented that high-level scientists from the Avimex company and public health institutions have participated in developing the Mexican vaccine. She stressed that great scientists support the development of the vaccine. She pointed out that tests have already been carried out on animals, such as rodents, to analyze the vaccine. She added that the clinical study of it in humans is about to begin. She estimated that, if there is success in the different phases, its emergency use could be given approximately in November or December of the current year.
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxEgOKuI-n-WOJaNcisHvSg
ECONOMIC RECOVERY Given the elevation of the forecast for the growth of Mexico’s gross domestic product in 2021 to 5.0% from the previous estimate of 4.3%, the President mentioned that it is the result of his administration’s public policies since no more public debt was contracted. No fiscal incentives were given to large companies; support was provided to the population through social programs, which will allow a speedy recovery from the economic crisis. He recognized the importance of the economy of the country to the remittances sent by compatriots. INFLATION The President acknowledged that inflation grew according to data published on April 8; the causes will be sought, and budgetary resources will be allocated for the gasoline subsidy so that gasoline does not increase, increasing the prices of other consumer basic products. He pointed out that the subsidy is being delivered and will verify if the gasoline distributors are not keeping it. HYDROCARBONS LAW The President explained that with the energy reform of the last six-year term, around 1,000 permits were issued to import gasoline and fuels to encourage speculation, which has been canceled because they were delivered to companies that were not en-
7
KEY POINTS OF PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR’S Morning Press Conference April 6-13, 2021 gaged in the hydrocarbon sector. Many of them were not even exercised; in no case, there was an arbitrary process. He said that today there are 70 valid permits. However, it was detected an inconsistency in customs with this type of importers but that they are already being attended and results are beginning to be achieved through tax collection. He pointed out that the Hydrocarbons Law Initiative will help Pemex have greater control over these processes. He trusted and called for it to be approved before the end of the ordinary period of sessions. He mentioned that the private initiative is implementing a strategy based on lawsuits to avoid the entry into force of fiscal and energy decisions, hoping that the six-year term ends and is not applied. However, the Government will be firm. CALL FROM PRESIDENT LOPEZ OBRADOR WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS The President reported that on April 7, he had a phone call with US Vice President Kamala Harris, where the issue of migration was discussed. He shared that there is an attitude of great respect for the people of Mexico and the migrants and that there is an orderly and safe migration. President Lopez Obrador recalled that there is an initiative in the US Congress to authorize budget support for El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. He hopes that it will be approved as soon as possible so that it is invested in development. The President said that there are excellent conditions to have a good understanding with the United States government and that there is cooperation so that the immigration issue is not the central concern in the neighboring country, as it is now. He pointed out that this problem is not perceived with the same level of
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxEgOKuI-n-WOJaNcisHvSg
concern in Mexico because there are other great national problems. ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that if the CFE is strengthened, there will be no power supply problems. He mentioned that there was a deception of people to deliver the electricity industry market. It was said that we could run out of power, which was not true since the Commission had all the supply capacity. What is being done with two initiatives that were approved, one for the electricity industry and the other for hydrocarbons, is to put order to ensure that the contracts conform to reality, that a domestic consumer of the popular class does not have to pay more for energy than paid by large economic or financial corporations. He added that it does not prevent private participation but rather orders participation in the electricity market and establishes very clear rules.
8
VACCINATION PROGRESS
As of April 12, 11,703,164 doses had been applied. From this, 2,223,000 have the complete scheme (2 doses). 8,936,919 elderly citizens have been vaccinated with one dose, and 1,450,218 have the full scheme. 22,934 doses had been applied to teachers. As of now, 16, 900,850 doses have been received. Maria Elena Alvarez-Buylla, Director General of CONACYT, commented that high-level scientists from the company Avimex have participated in developing the Mexican vaccine. She emphasized that great scientists and tests support the development of the vaccine have already been carried out on animals -such as rodents- to analyze the vaccine. She added that the clinical study of the vaccine is about to begin and estimated that it could be ready for emergency use in approximately November or December of this year in the event of success in the different phases.
9
MEASURES TAKEN BY STATES IN MEXICO
BAJA CALIFORNIA For the week of April 12th – 18th, Baja California remains in the medium risk tier or yellow traffic light, with an increase of Covid-19 confirmed cases in all five municipalities. As stated by Government authorities, the increase is a direct result of the level of mobility during Easter week, which saw over 100,000 visitors in the State. The official number of Covid-19 cases is reported to be at 353 cases, with an increase of over 100 from last week. Hospital occupancy is now at 22.35%, increasing from 9.35% from last week, with 597 hospital beds available and 227 available respirators. According to the previous cut on April 12th, 245,122 adults over 60 years old have been vaccinated, and the second doses are also being applied. There are 12 vaccination points in Mexicali, Tijuana, Tecate, Ensenada, and Rosarito.
SONORA With Covid-19 cases continuing on the rise, only four municipalities are considered as low risk, giving the State of Sonora its third week on the mediumrisk tier or yellow traffic light, according to the Federal Government’s risk scale. The municipalities considered as low risk are San Luis Rio Colorado, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and Aguaprieta, which are concentrated in the State’s northern region. As of April 13th, it was reported that there were 943 active Covid-19 cases in the State, with 135 hospitalized patients and 34 using respirators. There were also reported 32 new confirmed cases and 3 patients, 2 from Cajeme and 1 from Guaymas, that lost their lives in the last 24 hours. On Saturday, April 10th, a new shipment of Pfizer vaccines was received in Sonora, which will be applied to adults over 60 years old that have already received the first vaccine. The second vaccine will be applied to adults in Nogales, Santa Ana, and Cumpas, while Hermosillo will also receive a smaller number. Other 8 municipalities (Magdalena, Imuris, Plutarco Elias Calles, Nacozari, Alamos, among others) continue to apply the second dose of the Sinovac vaccine.
10
MEASURES TAKEN BY STATES IN MEXICO
COAHUILA Governor Miguel Angel Riquelme Solis assured that Coahuila has already entered a clear trend towards the recovery of academic activities in the format of face-to-face classes, based on a general strategy that began to be outlined on Monday, April 12 in La Laguna. It will start to be extended to the rest of the regions of the State from now on. TAMAULIPAS “Bienestar Tamaulipas” announced the COVID-19 vaccination day in Reynosa, so it will be the second of the five cities that lead the infections and the first of those that represent the highest population density of the entity to celebrate immunization in older adults. Vaccination of seniors is expected to end this month. NUEVO LEON Dhe Health Secretariat of the State of Nuevo Leon announced a new increase in positive cases for COVID during this week. Although the increase was small, it was part of what the specialists expected before the Easter holidays. It should be noted that this Monday began the COVID vaccination of older adults in the municipalities of Monterrey and Guadalupe.
11
MEASURES TAKEN BY STATES IN MEXICO
AGUASCALIENTES Aguascalientes registers 2,510 deaths from COVID-19 after the Ministry of Health reported 8 more deaths due to the viral disease. The agency also reported 35 new infections, raising the figure to 20,944 accumulated cases. There are 51 suspected cases and 311 active patients; the fatality rate was 12%. Aguascalientes maintains a hospital occupancy below 30% in beds for general hospitalization and beds with ventilators. This Tuesday, the vaccination of adults over 60 years of age will continue in the state capital, to whom the biological drug from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer will be applied. Likewise, for tomorrow, Wednesday, the application of the second dose in Jesus Maria will begin. 133 thousand vaccines against COVID-19 have been applied in Aguascalientes, which is between the first and second doses for older adults and health personnel. Although there have been doubts among the population about the certainty of the Sinovac vaccine, the State Governor, Martin Orozco Sandoval, urged Aguascalientes population not to doubt and apply the vaccine because “it is what we have” and the one with the highest percentage applied in the State, “and as long as there is no harm in society we will have to continue applying it.”
GUANAJUATO After the Easter holiday period, the hospitalization for COVID-19 patients in the entity rebounded due to the exaggerated movement of registered people in that period. “We had seen an increase in hospitalized patients, more than 200 when we had lowered this figure in previous weeks, and unfortunately 70 are connected to a very serious ventilator,” said the Minister of Health of Guanajuato (SSG), Daniel Diaz Martinez. Until today, hospital occupancy is 8.3 percent (of all available beds). He reiterated the call to follow the health safety recommendations. Daniel Diaz Martinez pointed out that to date, 495,190 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been applied to older adults in 42 municipalities of the entity. As of April 13, the vaccination will begin in the six missing Guanajuato municipalities, including Penjamo, Valle de Santiago, Moroleon, and Uriangato. According to the last report of April 13, Guanajuato’s Ministry of Health (SSG) reported 35 new infections and 9 deaths of patients infected with COVID-19. Although Guanajuato currently has a hospital occupancy of less than 10% of total capacity, doctors and the health sector continue to urge people to take care of themselves, since in other regions of the world, such as Chile, there are already third rebounds cases even though progress has already been made in vaccination.
12
MEASURES TAKEN BY STATES IN MEXICO
JALISCO Jalisco’s Ministry of Health reports 238,941 cases of COVID-19, and 11,484 people have died from the disease. The agency said this Monday, April 12, that 422 people contracted the disease, and three deaths of people with COVID-19 were added. The agency recommends the population maintain sanitary measures and seek care in case of symptoms. The vaccination against the coronavirus in Jalisco will continue this Tuesday in Tlajomulco and El Salto. In addition, the application of the second dose to older adults in Tlaquepaque will be carried out. Last Friday, 100,620 vaccines from the Pfizer-BioNTech laboratory arrived in Jalisco. These are those destined for Tlajomulco and El Salto, reported the Jalisco’s Ministry of Health. The vaccination in Tlajomulco, El Salto, and the second dose of Tlaquepaque will be carried out in alphabetical order according to the first surname of the elderly.
QUERETARO In the State, 147 new cases of COVID-19 infections were registered on April 12, and 3 deaths, according to the report of the State Secretary of Health (SESEQ). Regarding the availability of general hospital beds and ventilators in the State, with information from April 11, there is an occupancy of 21 percent, based on the Negative Network of Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The COVID-19 vaccination day for older adults in the municipality of Queretaro was extended until this week, from April 12 to 14. The authorities kept open several vaccination centers for those who could not attend last week or attend specific groups of the population.
13
MEASURES TAKEN BY STATES IN MEXICO
STATE OF MEXICO The Governor of the State of Mexico informed that starting this Monday, April 12, and until April 16, the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be applied to senior citizens in Toluca. CDMX The head of the Government of Mexico City mentioned that it is possible to return to school safely as long as teachers are vaccinated. It was reiterated that as the vaccination progresses, it will be possible to change to yellow traffic light and open more businesses such as offices, party halls, convention centers, among other things. Eduardo Clark Garcia, head of the Digital Innovation Agency, reported that 60% of deaths due to COVID-19 are associated with comorbidities.
14
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY OUTSOURCING REFORM, A RISK FOR LABOR REACTIVATION: ANALYSTS The reactivation of the labor market in Mexico -slow in itself- could face one more obstacle. This will depend greatly on the decisions taken in the next few days regarding outsourcing, allowing to expand hiring or close it definitively, agreed specialists and business people. The certainty as to whether employment trends in Mexico will continue in positive terms for the rest of the year is now subject to factors such as the new hiring rules outlined in the reforms to the Federal Labor Law and the period determined by the Congress of the Union for companies to stop using subcontracting schemes. “This year, we are increasing the difficulties for formal employment to recover as soon as possible due to a global problem. As the legal and lawful hiring channels are closed, activities’ reactivation becomes more complicated, particularly in the companies of the sectors most affected by the pandemic. Bad practices will represent a multiplechoice response that will only aggravate the problem of informality in the country”, explained the president of the Mexican Association of Human Capital Companies (AMECH), Hector Marquez Pitol. This year’s priorities are to recover the employment lost due to the pandemic; 457,234 formal jobs still need to be recovered in Mexico. Employers’ trends indicate that 70% will opt for semi-formal, informal hiring schemes or layoffs with their workforce hired under outsourcing. Also, he said, informality is the main problem facing Mexico in terms of employment and economy. The great challenge is to reduce informality since these people were the most affected because they do not have benefits, social security, which has generated the largest number of poor people due to this critical situation. It is estimated that it will take more than two years for informality to return to its preCovid levels.
Armando Leñero, president of the Centro de Estudios del Empleo Formal (CEEF), pointed out that the labor crisis did not begin due to the pandemic. This health phenomenon only accelerated a trend that has been constant since the beginning of the six-year term, in which the creation of formal jobs has been low. “The country should be growing at least 740,000 job sources per year, to talk about a recovery, but in reality, Mexico requires the creation of one million 200,000 formal jobs to be able to talk about an optimal growth of the labor market, but we do not see that this will be registered in the short term’’. In its monthly report, the National Commission of Minimum Wages informed that the survey of specialists’ expectations in the private sector economy remains at 360,000 new IMSS insured workers this year and 354,000 in 2022. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is expected to close the year at 4.25%, less than the 4.4% of the previous month.
15
GOOD NEWS
MEXICO AIMS TO HAVE ITS OWN VACCINE APPROVED FOR USE BY THE END OF 2021
Mexico aims to have developed a vaccine against COVID-19 that could be granted approval for emergency use by the end of this year, a senior official said on Tuesday. Maria Elena Alvarez-Buylla, head of the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt), told a regular news conference that the vaccine under development known as “Patria” could be approved in November or December of this year.
SOURCE: REUTERS MEXICO
16
EHS
RECOMMENDATIONS VISITING A RESTAURANT OR BAR The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Many go to restaurants and bars to enjoy a meal without having to cook, connect with friends and family, and support businesses that are an important part of many communities. However, visiting bars and restaurants can increase your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Check the restaurant’s or bar’s COVID-19 prevention practices before you go. • Check if outdoor seating is available and if options allow groups to be at least 6 feet apart from one another. If a tent is set up outdoors, make sure that at least one side is open or rolled up. An enclosed tent is like eating indoors. • Avoid busy times of day or night. It’s safest to visit when fewer people are at the restaurant or bar. • Check the restaurant or bar’s website and social media to see if you feel comfortable with their COVID-19 safety guidelines. Guidelines should require both staff and patrons to wear masks while not eating or drinking. Check if menus are available online or via app for safer ordering. Call if the posted information is unclear or if you have questions. • Find out if valet parking is required or if you can self-park. If valet is the only option, it’s best to leave your windows open and let your car air out for at least 15 minutes after the valet returns your car to you.
DAVID ANTUNEZ Environmental, Health, and Safety Director.
17
BUSINESS TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION The government offices and agencies that have been closed during the pandemic have caused renewing or processing procedures for the first time documents required for travel, such as passports or visas for some countries, to take longer than usual. Although most business travel, mainly abroad, continues to be restricted, as time goes by, Human Resources areas need to ensure that executives and personnel whose role in the organization requires travel have valid documents. For those executives whose expiration date will occur during the following months, it is advisable to schedule renewals on time to not interrupt business trips due to a lack of valid documents.
ALVARO GARCIA HR, Vice President
NEW SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES A year ago the “New Normal” has pretty much changed all aspects of our lives. Nowadays most of our personal shopping is performed thru reputable online portals.
KURT SCHMIDT Consulting Director
These are some recommendations: • Nearshore your supply chain with digital platforms. • Look for Certified Vendors who you can trust. • Find reliable partners for a Due Diligence Process Prodensa’s supply chain services can help you implement your strategy.
SUPPLY CHAIN
LABOR
RECOMMENDATIONS
18
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
RECOMMENDATIONS WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A GOOD CORPORATE IMAGE? A good corporate image will allow us to distinguish ourselves from competitors. The key is to be recognized immediately by our image. It allows you to communicate your company’s values and culture visually. Base your identity choice on what you want to express! It strengthens the bond between employees and the company: increasing their sense of belonging. It positions you as an employer brand: and helps in the attraction of new talent.
YOELLE ROJAS Public Affairs & Communications Director
BASIC PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19
1 2 3 4 5 Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or use the inside corner of your arm.
Avoid shaking hands and kissing.
Keep your workspace clean and don't share personal items and utensils.
If you show symptoms of a cold or flu, go to a doctor. Do not self-medicate and inform your supervisor and Human Resources department.
www.prodensa.com contact@prodensa.com