Philippines sees highest daily tally of COVID-19 in seven months
The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on March 13 reported 5,000 new COVID-19 infections, the highest daily tally in nearly seven months, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in this country to 616,611.
A COVID-19 vaccination site in Marikina city of the Philippines on March 2, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - ThePhilippines' Department of Health (DOH) on March 13 reported 5,000 new COVID-19infections, the highest daily tally in nearly seven months, bringing the totalnumber of confirmed cases in this country to 616,611.
Meanwhile, the death tollclimbed to 12,766 after 72 more patients succumbed to the coronavirus disease,the DOH said.
It added that 281 morepatients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 547,166.
This ministry also urgedvigilance as more transmissible coronavirus variants have occurred.
Also on March 13, the Philippines confirmed the first case of the COVID-19 variant first identified in Brazil.
The DOH said the P.1 variant was found in an overseas Filipino returning who from Brazil.
The country also recorded an additional 59 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant found in the UK, bringing the total number to 177. Meanwhile, 32 cases of the B.1.351 variant discovered in South Africa were reported, raising the number of cases for this variant to 90, according to the ministry.
The government blamed thespike in the infection number on people's failure to comply with personalprotective measures such as wearing masks and face shields properly and keepinga distance when outside their homes.
Metro Manila authorities hadimposed two-week lockdowns in several densely-populated communities in thecapital with surging clusters of infections and a two-week curfew, from 10 pmto 5 am, starting on March 15 to control mobility.
The Philippines, which has the second-highest COVID-19 cases and deathsin Southeast Asia, started a vaccination drive on March 1./.
Lockdown measures have been imposed in a number of localities in Cambodia to curb the spread of COVID-19 while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of 400 million USD for the Philippines to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
The Philippines recorded additional 4,578 COVID-19 cases on March 12, the highest daily number of infections in the recent six months, according to the country’s Department of Health.
Vietnam logged no COVID-19 cases in the past 12 hours to 6:00 am on March 13, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
A COVID-19 vaccination site in Marikina city of the Philippines on March 2, 2021 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
