Asean sees almost 100,000 new Covid-19 cases
The number of Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia crossed 7 million, with 98,928 new cases reported on Wednesday – higher than Tuesday’s tally of 96,526. There were 2,564 more deaths, decreasing from Tuesday’s 2,824 and taking total coronavirus deaths in Asean to 139,127.
Indonesia reported 47,791 new cases and 1,824 deaths on Wednesday, bringing cumulative cases in that country to 3,287,727 patients and a total 88,659 deaths.
The government said it would allow retail shops, selected businesses and department stores to open under certain conditions this week, but will continue to impose the tightest disease control measures in Java and Bali, which are the epicentres of the outbreak, until August 2.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s prime minister insisted that the government is not going to extend the state of emergency that will expire on August 1. The country has been under emergency rule since January, with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin arguing it was needed to curb Covid-19 from spreading further.
Despite the emergency and strict lockdowns, the pandemic in Malaysia has only worsened, triggering public anger in the neighbouring country.