Regional roundup: Reopenings and COVID surges
19 August 2020
Around the world, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen above 22,000,000. 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 the region as countries grapple with the pandemic.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the world and in Asia:
Source: ourworldindata.org
India
Read India media reports:
Deccan Herald: Millions face eviction amid coronavirus recovery push
The Print: COVID testing, positivity trends since August 13 reassuring, but can't get lax, says govt
Source: ourworldindata.org
Thailand
Read Thailand media reports:
Bangkok Post: Plans to reopen Phuket form
The Nation: Youth suffer most from loss of employment opportunities in COVID-19 fallout
Read Indonesia media reports:
The Jakarta Post: Indonesia still evaluating when to reopen Bali and other tourist hot spots
The Jakarta Globe: Jakarta's ICU bed occupancy reaches 70 percent as coronavirus cases surge
Singapore
Read Singapore media reports:
Today: COVID-19: Where the clusters are
Channel News Asia: Extension of Jobs Support Scheme among S$8billion worth of measures announced by Heng Swee Keat
Straits Times: Cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia kicks off
The Singapore-Johor causeway, spanning across the Johor Straits. It is one of two bridges connecting Singapore to Malaysia. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Singapore-Johor_Causeway.jpg)
China
Read Chinese media reports:
Caixin Global: How early signs of a SARS-like virus were spotted, spread, and throttled
Xinhua: Chinese mainland reports no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases
South Korea
Read South Korean media reports:
The Korea Herald: New virus cases jump back to above 200; tougher measures eyed in greater Seoul area
The Korea Times: Church under fire for mass coronavirus infections, lack of cooperation
Japan
Read Japan media reports:
The Japan Times: COVID-19 news updates (updated continuously)
The Mainichi: Experts in Japan warn against views of virus having weakened amid pandemic
The Asahi Shimbun: Ministry to send health workers to Okinawa to fight COVID-19 surge
Myanmar
Read Myanmar media reports:
Myanmar Times: Myanmar reports first locally transmitted case in over a month
Frontier Myanmar: Secrecy, backlogs, and a pandemic: Myanmar's film industry flounders
Vietnam
Read Vietnam media reports:
Viet Nam News: Health officials urge public to learn how to 'co-habit with the virus'
Viet Nam News: Viet Nam, US exchange experience in treating patients with chronic kidney failure
Amid rising community cases, social distancing measures in Vietnam have been put in place. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Newone_-_VinMart_anti_COVID-19.jpg)
Philippines
Read Philippines media reports:
Philippine Star: Live updates: COVID-19 and extended quarantine in the Philippines
Rappler: Experts project 230,000 coronavirus cases if government lifts MECQ
Malaysia
Read Malaysia media reports:
Malaysiakini: COVID-19 cases in Malaysia (graph)
New Straits Times: Highly infectious D614G COVID-19 mutation detected in Malaysia
Bangladesh
Read Bangladesh media reports:
New Age: Plight of refugees, migrant workers under COVID
The Daily Star: Bangladesh has become the sixth country for most active cases
