Asean sees over 19,700 new Covid cases
The number of Covid-19 cases crossed 3.74 million in Southeast Asia, with 19,730 new cases reported on Wednesday, higher than Tuesday’s 16,629.
New deaths were reported to be 409, increasing from Tuesday's 366.
Total Covid-19 deaths across Asean are now 74,342.
Malaysia reported a new high of 6,075 new infections, pushing its cumulative cases to 485,496 patients. With 46 deaths on Wednesday, the total number of deaths in Malaysia stands at 2,040.
The country’s Public Health Ministry has urged people to go into voluntary lockdown to limit the spread of infections, recommending that residents venture out for groceries only once per week and shop online more.
Cambodia reported 393 new infections and three deaths on Wednesday, bringing cumulative cases in the neighbouring country to 23,282 patients and a total of 159 deaths. So far 14,955 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals. The government has done away with control zones in Phnom Penh, but rumours are circulating that people in the city have to pay for vaccines.