COVID-19 cases, deaths surge in Southeast Asian nations

Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysia on April 5 confirmed 179 new patients of the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), bringing the total number in the country to 3,662.

According to the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the Southeast Asian country recorded four more deaths, raising the death toll to 61.

Malaysian people have been asked to cooperate and be honest with authorities if they have contact with infected persons, or attend highly contagious events.

In Indonesia, the death toll from the COVID-19 climbed to 198 on the same day.

According to spokesman of the Indonesian government Achmad Yurianto, the country has so far recorded a total of 2,273 COVID-19 patients, including 164 those have recovered from the disease.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has declared a national public health emergency over the pandemic. Local authorities have been conducting rapid tests in areas where cases were detected, and urging the public to always wear face masks in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.

On the same day, the Singaporean Ministry of Health confirmed 120 new COVID-19 cases – the highest number reported in a day in the country.

So far, Singapore recorded 1,309 cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, including six deaths.

The Singaporean government has decided to close most workplaces from April 7 and schools from April 8, to prevent the epidemic from spreading in the community.

Accordingly, except for key economic sectors and essential services - such as food establishments, markets and supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, utilities, transport and key banking services - all other work premises will close.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ministry of Health has reported 152 new COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths, bringing the total number of cases and deaths in the country to 3,246 and 152, respectively./.