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The large number of cases continues to be the result of a relaxation of the attachment to social distance behaviors, “states the thirteenth progress report for covid 19 disease. As noted,” the stabilization is probably due to measures for the use of the mask, but also to the strengthening of the restrictions taken in areas with outbreaks. However, the current situation continues to require greater vigilance, because the epidemic may show an increasing trend in the future. “
The report, which includes detailed data on cases, tests, but also population mobility and the axis of the economy, with tables and graphs, also points out that the widespread dispersion in younger ages continues to be of particular concern. “This is reflected both in the increase in the number of cases under 40 years of age and in the influx of severe cases intubated in relatively young age groups. In particular, the average age of cases intubated is 39 years.”Specifically, as summarized, there is a stabilization of the average case, but an increase in deaths and hospitalizations, with a small decrease in the Rt index to 0.72.
SEE IN DETAIL THE 13TH COVID19 OBSERVATION PROGRESS REPORT
It is also highlighted that “the increase in cases that is registered refers to a great extent to younger ages and asymptomatic or slightly symptomatic patients. However, there is an increase in the burden on the healthcare system compared to the previous report, in terms of ICU / MAF beds (23% filling) “.
According to the data, “the moving average of tests per day was 13,400 last week. Many of them are carried out through sample controls at the gates of the country, as well as specific controls in various areas of the territory. According to the tests of In diagnoses carried out throughout the country, 10% to 12% of cases are imported. Most cases are in Attica and the rest are scattered throughout Greece. In addition, isolated outbreaks have been observed in specific areas, to which have taken recent restrictive measures.
The number of ICU patients increased from 31 to 38, while the average number of deaths increased to 4. According to internationally available data, Greece is still in a relatively good position in the COVID death rate per 1 million population. (111th place / 26 deaths per 1 million inhabitants), when the world average is 113.7 deaths per 1 million inhabitants. The case duplication rate was 24 out of 28 days, while the mortality rate was 125 out of 123 days. Therefore, there has been an acceleration in cases and a relative slowdown in deaths, compared to the previous report. Based on previous trends, Rt is estimated at 0.72 “.
In addition, “the mobility of the population has increased, compared to the previous report, across the spectrum of social activity. The measure of comparison is the average mobility in relation to April when the traffic containment measures were in force. In this sense, the stay in the home stands at -19.9%, reduced compared to the previous report. At the same levels, with the previous report, the movement of the population in search of food and medicine appeared, at + 86.7% compared to April. In-store traffic increased 1.2% and now stands at + 66%. Attendance at work remains stable, standing at + 36.4%. The use of MMM increases slightly, by approximately + 53%. Mobility in parks and outdoor areas also increased this week, reaching + 154.5%.
Economy
July saw an increase in deposits for the sixth consecutive month, according to data from the Bank of Greece (BoG). Specifically, private sector deposits (households and companies) increased 3.32 billion euros in July with a cumulative increase of 10.82 billion euros in the last six months.
BoG data also showed an acceleration of credit expansion to 1.5% in July from 0.4% in June, due to the increase in corporate loans by 5.8% (compared to 3.7% in June ). The monthly net flows of loans to companies amounted to 1.14 billion in July, while positive flows were also recorded in loans to the self-employed (119 million) and consumer loans (36 million).
There was a 6.9% decrease compared to the corresponding period last year in retail turnover in June, according to ELSTAT. The greatest decrease was registered in the sectors of fuels and lubricants for automobiles (-29.9%), food-beverages and tobacco (-13.8%) and department stores (-10%). On the contrary, the furniture, household appliances and kitchenware (+ 25.9%), non-store sales (+ 5.6%) and pharmaceutical-cosmetic (+ 3.4%) sectors showed an increase.
The economic climate index remained practically unchanged in August at 90.7 points, which reflects a significant improvement in services (+5.4 points) and a deterioration in the rest of the categories. The employment expectations index increased 1.9 points for the third consecutive month, to 105.6 points in August.
The Markit Manufacturing Procurement (PMI) index for the manufacturing sector in Greece strengthened by 0.8 points to 49.4 points in August, offsetting the 0.8 point decrease registered in July. The survey data indicated a slight deterioration in operating conditions in the Greek manufacturing sector, due to the slight contraction in production and new orders, as well as the return of employment to growth rates.
Regarding the precursors of economic activity, the average demand for electricity in Greece indicates an increase of 2% in the first week of August, a decrease of 9% in the second week and a stabilization in the next two weeks and a decrease global average of -1.8% in August. In countries with similar characteristics, such as Portugal, Spain and Italy, the variation rates in August were + 1.5%, -2% and -5.3% respectively. In general, in the period from early March to August 28, the average decline in Greece was -6.8% compared to -5.8% for the European average.
The slight gradual recovery in the number of passengers on both international and domestic flights observed in July accelerated in August, although the rate in the second half of August was lower than in the first half of the month. Overall, the average number of passengers on domestic flights increased 20.8% in August compared to July, while the number of passengers on international flights increased 46.1%. In absolute numbers, the daily average of passengers on domestic and international flights increased to 15,620 and 23,204 respectively in August, down 47.1% and 66.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
E-commerce volume continued to strengthen at a strong double-digit rate for the fourth consecutive month, accelerating to + 34% in August from + 31.7% in July. Overall, between March and August, the volume of electronic transactions increased on average 22.9%, with a tendency to accelerate from May and the gradual lifting of the blockade, at the same time as the value of electronic transactions increased for the third month consecutive at 9.4%. August, versus a minor increase of 3.4% in July. In general, in the seven months from March to August, the value of electronic transactions registered a growth rate of + 2.2%.
Payments through the DIAS system to the public show a general decrease compared to last year for the period from March 23 to August 28, with the outlook for August showing an improvement compared to July. Regarding the evolution of consumer spending on electronic media, the period from March 23 to August 27 registered a decrease of -11.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. It should be noted that in August the rate of decline decreased to -3.7% from -8.6% in July.
The sectors of economic activity that have faced a rapid and sharp decline in demand due to the imposition of restrictive measures are gradually improving. Specifically, the rate of reduction of spending on electronics in restaurants fell to -9.7% in the first half of August (from -32.9% in July), in transport companies to -29, 6% (from -56.2%) and travel agencies -60.8% (from -62.8%).
There continues to be a significant increase in tolls (+ 125.1% from + 125.7%), in energy companies (+ 67% from + 57.4%), in construction materials (+ 35.3% from +39 , 1%), in supermarkets and grocery stores (+ 21.2% from + 31.8%) and in bakeries (+ 68.9% from + 65.9%). In contrast, the reversal of the uptrend recorded in May and June continues to appear in electronic sales, which fell 18.4% in the first half of August from -12.3% in July.
It is observed that the previous increases also reflect a change of citizens to electronic payment channels and are not exclusively a sign of increased demand.
The number of container import declarations as a precursor to demand indicates a reduction from the fall to -26.8% in June, to -15.4% in July and more to -11.8% in August. There is also a better outlook regarding the rate of decline in exports, which rose to -20.9% in June and -27.4% in July and fell to -19% in August.
The introductory summary of the Report characteristically points out that “in conclusion, the findings of the XIII Progress Report of the Observatory show a deteriorating trend in relation to the results of the previous report on the health sector. In particular, there is a stabilization of the average number of cases, but an increase in deaths and hospitalization in ICU, with a slight decrease in the index Rt at 0.72. On the economic side, in general there has been a slight improvement. Continued deposit growth, business loan credit expansion in July, improvement in the PMI index and stabilization of the economic climate index in August, as well as the further improvement in the volume and value of electronic transactions in August . Likewise, in August the rate of reduction of consumer spending by electronic means, as well as imports and exports, slowed down ”.
Source: skai.gr
