Southeast Asian countries report hundreds of new COVID-19 patients

Taking samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia confirmed 496 new COVID-19 patients  on May 18, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 18,010.

According to the Indonesian Health Ministry, the country recorded 43 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 1,191. Meanwhile, 4,324 people have recovered.

The same day, the Health Ministry of the Philippines reported 205 more cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths, raising the total of infections and fatalities to 12,718 and 831, respectively.

Meanwhile, Malaysia recorded 47 new cases of infections, taking its total to 6,941, including 113 deaths.
 
Amid the complicated developments of the pandemic in the country, Malaysian King Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah called on the Malaysian Government to focus on ensuring the people's well-being and safety, while taking measures to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak./.