KEY POINTS:
- Total Global Cases: 1,346,974
- Total Global Deaths: 74,702
- Total Global Recoveries: 278,698
- Active Cases: 993,574 (946,325 in mild condition; 47,249 in critical condition)
- Closed Cases: 353,400 (278,698 recovered; 74,702 deaths)
- The COVID-19 pandemic is now affecting 209 countries and territories around the world, as well as 2 international conveyances – the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship and the Holland America’s MS Zaandam Cruise Ship.
- Philippines extends lockdown to end until April 30.
- Vietnam enforces heavy fines for COVID-19 offenders.
- Cambodia found no new cases of COVID-19 in three days, while three more patients recover.
- Brunei reported no new COVID-19 cases during the weekend.
- Nepal government extends ongoing nationwide lockdown until April 15.
- The UAE announced 277 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total to 2,076.
- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has reached 4,281.
Below are some of the latest news and updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept across the world.
Philippines. On April 7, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the extension of the lockdown and home quarantine measures covering more than half of the population in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Enhanced Community Quarantine was due to end next week; however, it would now be extended until April 30. In response to the first confirmed domestic transmission case, policies restricting gatherings and movement have been in place in and around Manila since nearly a month ago. The Philippines was also among the first countries to implement strict home quarantine measures.
On Monday, President Duterte also said that the government requires more funds to fulfill its promise to distribute cash aid to poor familiar amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The President tells Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to find ways to create funding. In a televisd address to the nation, President Duterte said, “The P100 billion for one month or the P270 billion for two months, ‘yan nakaprogram na as earlier estimated is not enough. I’m calling on the Secretary of Finance to generate [funding.] Magnakaw ka, manghiram ka, wala akong pakialam. I-produce mo ‘yung pera.” The President also appealed to wealthier people to consider providing financial assistance to the poor. He also mentioned the possibility of finally allowing the reclamation of Manila Bay in exchange for food aid.
Vietnam. People who violate the COVID-19 prevention and combat regulations will face heavy fines or even a criminal trial in Hanoi. People who will not wear masks in public spaces will be fined a maximum of 300,000 Vietnamese dong (approx. $12), while those who throw used masks on sidewalks and stress will be fined 7 million Vietnamese dong (approx. $304). Furthermore, those who will violate quarantine protocols, evade compulsory quarantine, or escape from quarantine sites could face an administrative fine of 10 million Vietnamese dong (approx. $423) and would be criminally tried if their actions infects others. Food stalls and eateries that fail to follow the close down order in virus-hit areas will also be subjected to a maximum fine of 20 million Vietnamese dong (approx. $850).
Cambodia. In the last three days, Cambodia found no new cases of COVID-19, while three more patients had recovered – this brings the number of cured patients to 53. The latest recovered patients are Malaysia Islamic preachers aged 26, 39, and 40 years old – all of whom were treated at the Kampong Cham provincial hospital. The group had come to Kang Meas district in southeast Kampong Cham province to take part in a smaller religious gathering after attending a mass Islamic religious gathering in Kuala Lumpur at the end of February.
Cambodia has also strictly implemented self-quarantine measures for all foreigners wishing to enter the country. According to an immigration official, all foreigners wishing to enter Cambodia amid the COVID-19 outbreak are required to self-quarantine for two weeks after arriving in the country.
Brunei. Brunei reported no new COVID-19 cases during the weekend, the first time since the first case was identified in the country on March 9. According to Brunei’s Ministry of Health, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Brunei remains at 135 (as of April 6). In a statement, Brunei’s Ministry of Health states, “However, the spread of the COVID-19 infection has not ended and we must continue to abide by all the precautionary measures to further reduce the risk of spreading the infection.”
Meanwhile, 7 more COVID-19 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 73. Three patients remain in critical condition on ventilators, while one patient requires Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) assistance. The rest are in stable condition.
Brunei’s Ministry of Health added that so far, 280 individuals are still undergoing quarantine and 2,065 individuals have complete the quarantine period.
Nepal. On Monday, the Nepal government extended the ongoing nationwide lockdown until April 15 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Nepal has been on lockdown since March 24 in the first phase and later, the date was extended by a week to April 7. With the confirmation of the country’s first locally-transmitted case, the government has tightened its lockdown measures and prevented human movement from one province to another, one district to another, and even from one local level to another. People have been ordered to stay at home and only essential services are in operation.
Nepal is also set to carry out rapid diagnostic tests in Baglung, Kailali, and Kanchanpur where the recent COVID-19 cases came from.
United Arab Emirates. On Monday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced 277 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total to 2,076. One more death has also been reported, bringing the UAE’s death toll from COVID-19 to 11. Dr. Farida Al Hosani, the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s official spokesperson, also revealed 23 more recoveries, bringing the country’s total recoveries to 167.
Dr. Al Hosani emphasized that the UAE is dedicated to prioritizing the needs of the country’s citizens and residents. She also directed a message to the public regarding celebrations of ‘Hag Al Laila’ stating, “It is a social occasion and our community is used to celebrating it, but in the present circumstances, we must reconsider. For the sake of everyone’s health and safety, we must avoid celebrations, family gatherings, children’s visits to neighbors, and spending time in the streets. We must refrain from distributing and sharing sweets with others.”
India. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has reached 4,281 and the death toll is now at 111. Health ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said that there had been 693 new COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths since Sunday. Out of the over 4,000 COVID-19 cases, about 1,445 individuals have been found to be linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi.
Delhi, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra continue to be the COVID-19 hotspots in the country, with maximum share in the total number of COVID-19 cases in India amid the 21-day complete nationwide lockdown.
