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Battling COVID-19: Media coverage of the virus

20 May 2020

Around the world, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases approaches 5,000,000, and nations across Asia are battling the virus in their own ways with varying degrees of success. At the Asia Media Centre, we've gathered media coverage from across Asian countries as they grapple with the pandemic. 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world and in Asia 

Source: ourworldindata.org

China

Read Chinese media reports:

Caixin Global: Wuhan ramps up testing, sluggish property market stirs back to life
Sixth Tone: Masked, sanitized, 1 metre apart: Shanghai goes back to school
China Daily: Xi: China to share vaccine with world

Source: ourworldindata.org

South Korea

Read South Korean media reports:

Yonhap News Agency: South Korea still vigilant over community spread; club cluster brought under control
The Korea Herald: Four nurses at major hospital in Seoul infected with COVID-19
The Korea Herald: April domestic air travelers fall to lowest level since 1997

Japan

Read Japan media reports:

The Asahi Shimbun: New virus cases plunge in Japan: none in Osaka, 5 in Tokyo
The Japan Times: Japan slips into recession, but worst is yet to come
The Japan News: Virus speculation prompts consumers in Japan to buy up fermented foods

Singapore

Read Singapore media reports:

Today: COVID-19: Where the clusters are
Channel News Asia: Flights grounded, fewer repairs: Singapore’s aerospace industry feels knock-on effects of COVID-19
Straits Times: Coronavirus: Many of the current restrictions to continue even after circuit breaker ends, says Lawrence Wong 

Singapore's National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said current restrictions around COVID-19 may stay in place. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

India

Read India media reports:

The Times of India: Coronavirus live rolling updates
Hindustan Times: India’s case count crosses 100,000, Delhi eases restrictions
The Hindu: COVID-19: Manipur tightens restrictions after five new cases

Thailand

Read Thailand media reports:

Bangkok Post: Thailand and other ASEAN countries join China in the fight against COVID-19
The Nation: Tourism sector will only start recovering next year, say experts


Indonesia

Read Indonesia media reports:

The Jakarta Post: Indonesia’s latest official COVID-19 figures (graph)
The Jakarta Globe: Indonesia has no intention to ‘investigate’ WHO

Vietnam

Read Vietnam media reports:

Viet Nam News: Four new cases confirmed, bringing country’s total to more than 300
Viet Nam News: 14th National Assembly to discuss trade deals, COVID-19 impact

Vietnam's COVID-19 cases have remained low throughout the pandemic. Photo: Photo by Dave Weatherall on Unsplash

Myanmar

Read Myanmar media reports:

Myanmar Times: Myanmar reports first COVID-case in Rakhine State
Frontier Myanmar: Reasons for optimism in Myanmar’s coronavirus fight

Philippines

Read Philippines media reports:

Philippine Star: Live updates: COVID-19 and extended quarantine in the Philippines
InquirerGovernment targeting to test 1.5 percent to 2 percent of total Philippines population for coronavirus

Malaysia

Read Malaysia media reports:

Malaysiakini: COVID-19 cases in Malaysia (graph)
New Straits Times: Different Ramadan, Eid for foreign students here
The Star: COVID-19 Testing Fund allows more Malaysians to undergo checks

Bangladesh

Read Bangladesh media reports:

New Age: COVID-19 claims 21, infects 1602 in a day in Bangladesh
The Daily Star: Heedless of risks, people rush home

- Asia Media Centre