Police patrol Manila's streets after the government imposes restriction measures to curb COVID-19 spread. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – COVID-19 remains complicated in the Southeast Asia asthe regional countries continued to witness an increase in the number ofinfections on April 4.
The Philippines documented additional 11,028 cases on the day, bringing thenation’s tally to 795,051. Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 13,425 aftertwo more patients died from the viral diseases.
According to the Department of Health, the nation, which has a population ofsome 110 million people, has tested over 9.7 million people since the outbreakin January 2020.
More Filipinos will receive the jabs as the government ramps upits COVID-19 immunisation drive this week, urging frontline medical workers andsenior citizens with underlying conditions to get inoculated. The DOH said itis speeding up the vaccination of its over 1.7 million healthcare workers.
Indonesia said it logged 6,731 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number ofcoronavirus infections in the nation to more than 1.534 million.
As many as 41,669 people died of the virus, 427 cases higher than the numberrecorded in the previous day.
The pandemic has spread to 34 cities and provinces nationwide.
While in Thailand, 96 new cases were added on April 4, 87 of them locallytransmitted. The total number of confirmed cases in the nation was 29,127. Nonew deaths were reported.
The Centre for COVID-19 SituationAdministration, of the total new infections, Bangkok had 35 cases, includingthree Japanese, Samut Sakhon 13, SamutPrakan 9, and Chonburi (7).
Notably, Thai authorities detected a COVID-19 outbreak in a prison in southernNarathiwat province, with 112 infections.
The prison now has more than 2,300 inmates, andthere might possibly be more people that would test positive for coronavirus,they said.
A field hospital has been set up to take care of those patients./.
Vietnam’s clear and drastic measures in COVID-19-related quarantine and contact tracing have help it overcome the third wave of outbreaks in less than two months, according to an article by German journalist Johannes Giesler, which was recently published on the news site Yahoo Nachrichten.
Indonesia and Romania have agreed to increase cooperation in economy, trade, investment, counter-terrorism and COVID-19 response, and continue supporting each other at international forums.
Three-wheelers and taxi drivers, vendors, and transport workers in Phnom Penh will be included in the priority groups for the national COVID-19 vaccination under a plan of the Cambodian Government.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
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.
Police patrol Manila's streets after the government imposes restriction measures to curb COVID-19 spread. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
