Covid-19 Panorama: India reports more deaths, number of infected in Laos unexpectedly increases
The world has had about 668,000 new cases and nearly 9,350 deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, with the hottest epidemic centers being India and Brazil. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asian countries, the number of Covid-19 cases in Laos suddenly increased sharply, and Cambodia continued to experience a dark day.
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| Relatives carry the body of a Covid-19 victim to be cremated in New Delhi, India, May 1, 2021. Photo: AP |
According to the global statistics site Worldometers, as of 6 a.m. on May 3, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to rage in 220 countries and territories, infecting nearly 153.5 million people and claiming the lives of more than 3.21 million others.
Although the US leads in the number of infections (33.2 million) and deaths (591,000), the rate at which the new coronavirus is spreading and causing death in this country is on the decline, with about 29,300 new infections and more than 300 deaths in the past day.
India continues to be hit hardest by Covid-19, recording 370,000 more cases to its total of nearly 20 million, and more than 3,400 more victims to its 219,000 deaths.
With the pandemic situation still severe, the government of Haryana state - one of the hottest epidemic centers in India - has imposed a 7-day complete lockdown, effective from May 3 and lasting for 1 week. Meanwhile, Delhi state has extended the lockdown for another 7 days until May 10.
Brazil recorded 29,000 new cases, bringing the total number of people positive for Covid-19 in this country to more than 14.7 million. The number of deaths increased by more than 1,000 to 407,600 cases.
Cambodia goes through dark days
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| Cambodian people register for Covid-19 testing. Photo: VOV |
Cambodia has just experienced a dark day on May 2 with 730 new cases and 6 more deaths due to Covid-19. Thus, the country has recorded a total of 14,520 positive cases and 103 deaths due to the new coronavirus strain.
To date, among Cambodia’s 25 provinces, only Ratanakiri (bordering Vietnam) has not recorded any Covid-19 infections. Meanwhile, the capital Phnom Penh continues to be the most serious outbreak, with the most new infections – 454 cases.
Cambodian authorities are taking drastic measures to reduce the spread of the disease.
On May 1, Cambodia banned the import of frozen meat and meat products from India and required customs to disinfect vehicles and packaging of other products imported from this country of one billion people. The new regulation takes effect immediately.
The number of new cases in Laos increased again to three digits
After 5 days of decreasing trend, the number of Covid-19 infections in Laos suddenly increased sharply when Bokeo province in the North recorded 60 new cases, bringing the total number of new infections nationwide to 112 cases in 6 out of 18 provinces and cities.
What happened in Bokeo shows that the Covid-19 situation in Laos remains complicated and unpredictable.
Covid-19 virus variant in India appears in Malaysia
Malaysia has recorded its first case of the variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus discovered in India, Health Minister Adham Baba said. He said the B.1.617 variant was detected in an Indian national at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but did not disclose when the case was discovered.
Days ago, Malaysia banned flights to and from India and barred entry to all travelers who had been to the South Asian country to prevent the spread of the new variant.
Malaysia had 3,418 new infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 415,012, including more than 1,500 deaths.
The number of new infections in Korea increased continuously.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on May 2 that the country experienced the fourth consecutive day with more than 600 new infections per day.
South Korean authorities have warned of a serious outbreak as people gather for social activities due to warm weather, especially during major holidays in May.
The South Korean government has decided to extend social distancing measures and ban gatherings of more than five people until May 23. Currently, the capital Seoul and its surrounding areas are applying level 2 social distancing - the third highest level in the current 5-level system in Korea, while the remaining localities across the country are applying level 1.5.