Malaysia tops 1 million Covid-19 cases since start of pandemic

Bangkok, Jul 25 (EFE).- Malaysia has surpassed the 1 million mark for Covid-19 infections since the virus first hit the country, according to official figures.

The Southeast Asian nation on Sunday registered 17,045 new cases, its highest single-day infection rate, with an overall caseload of 1,013,438.

The overall virus-related death toll stands at 7,994.

Despite the high rates, the Malaysian authorities are considering easing coronavirus restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated, as well as allowing patients to self-isolate at their homes, among other measures.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said during a televised speech on Saturday that about 50% of the population eligible for inoculation have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 16% have received a full course of the vaccine.

The Delta variant, which was first identified in India, has been wreaking havoc in other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, the epicenter of the pandemic in Asia, and Thailand.

Indonesia has reported 45,400 new infections on Saturday alone and more than 1,400 deaths, while Thailand posted a record-high daily infections tally at 15,335, with 129 deaths.

Vietnam, which has its main cities under lockdown, recorded 9,225 infections on Saturday, and Singapore registered 125 cases on Sunday.

Some 6,000 cases have been recorded in the Philippines, where the authorities have expressed concern over a first case of the highly contagious delta variant.

In Myanmar, the political and social instability due to the military coup that broke out in February is adding to the pandemic woes, which have left the country’s healthcare system crumbling. EFE