Our entire repository of COVID charts is HERE.
COVID case growth is improving across most of the world, but there are still countries in Asia that are in the midst of an omicron wave. South Korea’s case growth is particularly poor. However, severe cases remain low, mobility hasn’t gapped lower, and the government relaxed some restrictions last week to help struggling small businesses. Cafes and restaurants, among others, are now allowed to run until 11 p.m. The wave has been much less disruptive than feared because severity is so much lower.
COVID sentiment in Hong Kong has deteriorated. Hong Kong is one of the last places to hold onto a zero-COVID policy – imposing quarantines on people testing positive and close contacts. There are reports of runs on groceries and supplies. And the government has been inconsistent with messaging about lockdowns. Mobility has sunk. But the situation in Hong Kong is not emblematic of the rest of the region, which is experiencing less disruptive COVID waves. Case growth has rolled over the last few days too, which is hopefully the start of a new trend.
News sentiment towards COVID in China is much better. Restrictions are lower too. This is a good sign that disruptions to the global economy will be less than feared.
Case growth in countries that are important to the global supply chain is higher, but mobility has been resilient. Supply chain sentiment continues to improve, even though freight rates are still elevated.
COVID is no longer front and center elsewhere. The trends are benign.
Every state and country we have data for are HERE.
