Australian state of Victoria declares a ‘state of disaster’ . . .
Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, reported 725 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and accounts for nearly two-thirds of the country’s total confirmed cases despite having enacted a lockdown four weeks ago. Australia has approximately 19,500 total cases and has reported 232 deaths. On August 2, the Victorian government imposed a Stage 4 lockdown, which consists of a nighttime curfew, a ban on leaving home, limits on exercise and shopping, and the enforcement of shutdowns on all but essential businesses. Victoria’s outbreak, centred in Melbourne, started in mid-June with lax security and physical distancing at quarantine hotels in the city.
Cases in the Philippines rise amid new lockdowns . . .
The Philippines’ health ministry on Wednesday reported 3,462 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the country’s total reported cases to 115,980, with over 2,100 deaths. The country has the second-highest number of reported coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia, behind Indonesia. The Philippines’ government began re-imposing strict stay-home restrictions in Metro Manila and four other highly-populated provinces – Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite – starting August 3. Under the new lockdown rules, only authorized people, including medical personnel and workers in essential services and companies, are allowed to leave home.
Indonesia has highest number of cases in Southeast Asia . . .
Indonesia has the most reported COVID-19 infections in Southeast Asia. Today it recorded another 1,815 new infections and 64 new fatalities, pushing the country’s total number of cases to almost 117,000 and the overall number of deaths to 5,452. Tight restrictions are in place in Greater Jakarta. On August 3, the City of Jakarta started re-imposing the odd-even licence plate policy it had previously lifted to reduce unnecessary outings and contain the virus’ spread.
READ MORE
- The Jakarta Post: Indonesia’s COVID-19 mortality rate still tops global average: Taskforce
- Radio New Zealand: Victoria posts record 725 new coronavirus cases, 15 deaths
- Straits Times: Record single-day jump in number cases of Covid-19 in Philippines
