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Some Asia-Pacific countries faced soaring cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday as Bangladesh marked new daily record in cases and deaths, while New Zealand reports two new cases for the first time in 24 days.
India's health ministry on Tuesday morning said 10,667 more COVID-19 cases and 380 new deaths were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of deaths to 9,900 and total cases to 343,091.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh exceeded 94,000 after a record 3,862 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours.
Prof. Nasima Sultana, a senior Health Ministry official, told an online briefing in Dhaka that "another 53 COVID-19 deaths including 47 men and six women were confirmed in a 24-hour period, bringing the total number of fatalities in the country since March 18 to 1,262."
According to the official, the number of confirmed cases increased to 94,481 with the biggest daily rise of 3,862 cases reported in the last 24 hours.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday for the first time in 24 days.
The ministry confirmed that the two new cases were both related to the border as a result of recent travel from Britain.
The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 1,106 within one day to 40,400, with the death toll adding by 33 to 2,231, Achmad Yurianto, a Health Ministry official, said at a press conference.
He also said that 580 more people had been discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 15,703.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rose to 26,781 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 364 more infections.
The DOH said in its bulletin that the number of recoveries further climbed to 6,552 after 301 more patients have survived the disease.
The death toll also increased to 1,103 after five more patients have succumbed to the viral disease, the DOH added.
A record high of 333 cases of COVID-19 patients were reported cured and discharged in Malaysia on Tuesday, bringing the total to 7,733 or 90.9 percent of all cases, the Health Ministry said.
Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said at a press briefing that another 11 new cases had been detected, pushing the national total to 8,505 cases.
No new deaths had been reported, leaving the total deaths at 121.
South Korea reported 34 more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of 0:00 a.m. Tuesday local time, raising the total number of infections to 12,155. The daily caseload stayed below 40 for the third straight day. Of the new cases, 13 were imported, lifting the combined figure to 1,359.
Australia's widespread easing of COVID-19 restrictions has remained on track despite a dozen new confirmed cases, with state leaders confident that milder distancing measures will be sufficient.
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The number of people arriving in Australia from overseas has fallen by almost 100 percent.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released on Tuesday, 19,400 international arrivals were recorded in Australia in May, a 99 percent decline from 2019.
Of those who arrived in the country, 69 percent were citizens of Australia and New Zealand.
The data reflects the collapse in tourism as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there had been 7,347 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, up from 7,335 on Monday. Nine of the new cases were in Victoria and three in New South Wales (NSW).
The ABS on Tuesday also released labour data, revealing that the number of jobs in Australia increased by 1 percent in May but remained 7.5 percent lower than in mid-March before strict coronavirus restrictions were introduced.
According to the ABS, Australia's labour market hit its lowest point in the week ending April 18 and has been slowly recovering ever since.
Accommodation and food services, the industry hit hard by COVID-19, had recovery as restrictions began to ease.
"Payroll jobs in the Accommodation and food services industry increased by 5.0 percent through May, but remained 29.1 percent lower than in mid-March," Head of Labour Statistics at the ABS Bjorn Jarvis said in a media release.
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The New Zealand Ministry of Health reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday for the first time in 24 days.
The ministry confirmed that the two new cases were both related to the border as a result of recent travel from Britain.
The combined number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand was 1,506, including 1,156 confirmed cases of COVID-19, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization, said a ministry statement.
The number of COVID-19 related deaths in New Zealand was 22. The number of recovered cases was 1,482, it said.
Border restrictions have increased although people's lives are back to normal domestically, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said last week, adding that people at the border are being tested no matter they have symptoms or not.
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Singapore's Multi-Ministry Taskforce has decided to start phase two of re-opening after 11:59 p.m. June 18, when most activities, apart from a small list of exceptions, will be resumed.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced in a press release on Monday evening that subject to some safe distancing principles, retail businesses might re-open their physical outlets in the new phase, while food and beverage dine-in would be allowed, personal health and wellness and home-based services would be resumed, and sports, parks and other public facilities would open.
Meanwhile, businesses in the permitted list published by the Ministry of Trade and Industry would not need to apply for an exemption before resuming operations in the new phase, said the MOH.
"Phase two is a significant step in moving towards a new COVID-safe normal," said the ministry. "The Multi-Ministry Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation closely, with the aim of continuing to ease measures, until we reach a new normal in Phase Three."
Singapore exited COVID-19 Circuit Breaker measures and began to resume banned activities in three phases starting from June 2. The phase one, which the city-state is in currently, sees only economic activities that do not pose high risk of transmission be resumed.
The MOH also announced on Monday evening that Singapore would update its border measures, according to another press release.
Firstly, a testing regime will apply to all travelers entering Singapore from 11:59 p.m. June 17.
Secondly, all travelers entering Singapore from 11:59 p.m. June 17, and who had remained in Australia, Brunei, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, China's Macao Special Administrative Region, Chinese mainland, New Zealand, South Korea, China's Taiwan and Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry, will no longer have to serve their 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities.
Thirdly, all inbound and outbound travelers who enter Singapore from 11:59 p.m. June 17, and leave Singapore from 11:59 p.m. June 17, respectively, will be required to pay for their COVID-19 tests, where applicable.
In addition, incoming travelers who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents, who enter Singapore from 11:59 p.m. June 17, will be required to pay for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities, where applicable.
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COVID-19 spreads quickly in South Asia as India's total cases reach 332,424 and Bangladesh's cases exceed 90,000, while Thailand reported zero new case and no new fatality on Monday.
India's federal health ministry on Monday morning said 325 new deaths due to COVID-19 and an additional 11,502 positive cases were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of deaths to 9,520 and total cases to 332,424.
So far 169,798 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.
Bangladesh confirmed 38 more fatalities from the COVID-19, bringing the country's death toll to over 1,200.
Nasima Sultana, a senior Health Ministry official, said in a briefing in Dhaka that "3,099 new COVID-19 positive cases and 38 deaths including 32 men and 6 women were reported in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh."
The number of confirmed infections in the country totaled 90,619 while fatalities stood at 1,209.
The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 1,017 within one day to 39,294, with the death toll adding by 64 to 2,198, Achmad Yurianto, a Health Ministry official, said at a press conference on Monday.
According to him, 592 more people had been discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 15,123.
Afghanistan reported 761 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, taking the country's total to 25,527, the country's Ministry of Public Health confirmed.
"Within the past 24 hours, 1,551 tests were conducted, and 761 were positive COVID-19 cases," the ministry said in a statement.
Up to 478 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in February, an increase of seven within the past 24 hours. Out of the total infected people, 5,090 have recovered.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rose to 26,420 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 490 more infections on Monday.
The DOH said in its bulletin that the number of recoveries further climbed to 6,252 after 298 more patients have survived the disease.
The death toll increased to 1,098 after 10 more patients have succumbed to the viral disease, the DOH added.
Malaysia reported 41 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the total cases to 8,494, the Health Ministry said.
No new death has been reported, leaving the total deaths at 121.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who coordinated the implementation of restrictive measures, said in a separate press conference that preschools and kindergartens will be allowed to operate from July 1 onwards.
South Korea reported 37 more cases compared to 24 hours ago as of 0:00 a.m. Monday local time, raising the total number of infections to 12,121.
The daily caseload moved between 30 and 60 for the past 15 days. Of the new cases, 13 were imported, lifting the combined figure to 1,346.
No more death was confirmed, leaving the death toll at 277. The total fatality rate stood at 2.29 percent.
Thailand reported zero new case of COVID-19 as well as no new fatality as the country moves toward further easing restrictions on high-risk business and leisure activities.
Thailand on Monday also saw a total lift to the night curfew.
Although the number of confirmed cases has dropped, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin on Monday reminded everyone to wear face masks every time they are outdoors.
The Ministry of Health reported no cases in New Zealand, 24 days since the last new case was reported in the country.
The combined number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand was 1,504, including 1,154 confirmed cases, and the death toll stood at 22, and the number of recovered cases was 1,482.
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More overseas Thais are scheduled to return home this week, Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Thaweesilp Visanuyothin said on Monday.
The homebound Thais are scheduled to return from abroad between June 15 and June 22 and to immediately undergo the 14-day state quarantine, Thaweesilp said.
Those include 470 Thais arriving on Monday from India, England and Singapore and 533 others arriving on Tuesday from South Africa, Japan, Uzbekistan and Qatar, according to the CCSA spokesman.
The other countries from where the Thais are coming back home throughout this week include China, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Bahrain, South Korea, Canada, the United States, Russia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Nepal, Austria and Hungary.
Of a total of 3,135 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in Thailand so far, 198 are from abroad, according to the CCSA spokesman.
Thailand has reported no infection within the country for 21 consecutive days.
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The daily COVID-19 cases in India and Bangladesh continued to soar on Sunday, while Japanese capital Tokyo was in fears of a second wave of infections after reporting 47 new cases.
India's federal health ministry reported 311 more deaths and 11,929 new positive cases, taking the number of deaths to 9,195 and total cases to 320,922.
The total number of COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh increased to over 87,000, with a daily rise of more than 3,000 cases. Senior Health Ministry official Nasima Sultana said 3,141 new cases and 32 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.
In Japan, the Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 47 new infections, only a few days after Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike lifted "Tokyo alert" over the pandemic to allow all business to reopen.
This is the first time since May 5 that the daily count for Tokyo has risen above 40 as fears grew over a possible second wave of infections in the capital.
Infection cases in Indonesia rose by 857 within one day to 38,277, with the death toll adding by 43 to 2,134, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto said at a press conference.
Active cases in Malaysia dropped below 1,000 as the number of newly recovered cases continue to outpace new confirmed ones. Eight new cases were reported, pushing the total cases to 8,453, the Health Ministry said.
The number of cases in the Philippines rose to 25,930 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 539 more infections.
Bangkok's nighttime entertainment venues remain temporarily closed despite easing restrictions and end of curfew from Monday, announced Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesman Phongsakorn Kwanmuang.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Maldives has crossed 2,000, local media reported.
South Korea reported 34 more cases, raising the total number of infections to 12,085. The daily caseload moved between 30 and 60 for the past two weeks. Of the new cases, three were imported, lifting the combined figure to 1,333.
The Ministry of Health reported no cases in New Zealand, 23 days since the last new case was reported in the country.
The combined number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand was 1,504, including 1,154 confirmed cases, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization, said a ministry statement.
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Replacement Bryn Gatland slotted a 79th minute drop goal to give the Otago Highlanders a 28-27 victory over the Waikato Chiefs as professional rugby union resumed on Saturday after a three-month COVID-19 shutdown.
The drop goal, against the side coached by his father Warren, provided an electric finish to the first match of New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, which attracted a crowd of about 20,000 and was broadcast to a global television audience.
The hometown Highlanders roared on by thousands of Otago University students in ‘The Zoo’ section of the indoor stadium had to overcome two periods with just 14 men after Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki were sinbinned for dangerous tackles.
The game was regularly halted for a high number of penalties called under stricter interpretations around the tackle.
Highlanders captain Ash Dixon scored the first try of the competition, while Koroi and Nareki were perilously close to becoming the first players to receive red cards after dangerous tackles in each half.
The Chiefs were kept in the game through Damian McKenzie’s boot as he converted four of his side’s penalties, while the fullback gave the visitors a 27-25 lead with two minutes remaining through a drop goal.
The Highlanders, however, managed to set up field position just inside Chiefs territory from the restart and Gatland calmly slotted home the winning drop kick from almost 40 metres to send the passionate home fans into delirium.
The competition has been organised by New Zealand Rugby after the main Super Rugby competition, which also involves teams from Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan, was halted in mid-March to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
New Zealand is on the brink of eliminating the virus with no active cases and the government lifted virtually all COVID-19 restrictions earlier this week.
That allowed the competition to resume with no limits on crowd sizes. Sunday’s game at Eden Park between the hometown Auckland Blues and Wellington Hurricanes has sold out.
Edited By: Emmanuel Okara/Silas Nwoha (NAN)
Incoming Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan says he is keen to strengthen ties with New Zealand and hopes a trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition can be set up from next year, to help ease the financial strain from the coronavirus shutdown.
McLennan, who succeeds interim chairman Paul McLean on Monday, told The Australian newspaper his top priority was to shore up the organisation’s finances as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cloud the future of Super Rugby.
“The first step is to secure the financial future of the game,” he told the newspaper on Saturday. “That incorporates everything from the broadcast deal to working with our commercial partners, to fixing Super Rugby.
“We have to determine what our product is so that we can sell it to the broadcasters.
“If I had my way, given the circumstances with COVID, a cross-Tasman competition makes the most sense and will be the most valuable commodity to sell.”
The wider Super Rugby competition, which involves teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Japan has been on hold since mid-March as governments imposed travel curbs aimed at restricting the spread of the novel coronavirus.
There is little chance of a cross-border tournament featuring Super Rugby teams this year with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa all deciding to stage domestic competitions.
New Zealand’s ‘Super Rugby Aotearoa’ starts later on Saturday.
Super Rugby was already undergoing a revamp before the season was halted, due to the pandemic with Japanese side the Sunwolves cut at the end of this season.
Argentine rugby officials have also encouraged Jaguares players to take deals overseas with the team’s future also in doubt.
The coronavirus pandemic has also hit Rugby Australia’s finances hard, with the national body asking players to take pay cuts and implementing massive staff layoffs.
Raelene Castle resigned as chief executive in April, while McLennan is the fourth chairman in four months.
Edited By: Emmanuel Okara/Silas Nwoha (NAN)
The Ministry of Health reported no cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand on Saturday, 22 days since the last new case was reported in the country.
The combined number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand was 1,504, including 1,154 confirmed cases of COVID-19, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization, said a ministry statement.
The number of COVID-19 related deaths in New Zealand was 22. The number of recovered cases was 1,482, it said.
NZ COVID Tracer, developed by the New Zealand government to facilitate contact tracing and case identification, has now recorded 552,000 registrations. That's an increase of 2,000 since Friday.
"We continue to encourage as many people as possible to download and use the app. This will support our contact tracing efforts in Level 1," said the ministry statement.
Health officials said elimination is achieved after 28 days of no new cases, which equals two incubation periods. If no cases are reported next week, COVID-19 will be eliminated in New Zealand.
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