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India’s coronavirus epidemic overtakes Russia as Indonesia, Philippines reports continued surge

  • India now has the third-highest number of cases behind the US and Brazil
  • Indonesia reported the highest single-day number of deaths on Sunday, while the Philippines announced a record number of new cases

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A Philippine man has his temperature taken in Manila. Photo: dpa
The Philippines and Indonesia both recorded worrying surges in coronavirus cases on Monday, in stark contrast to their Southeast Asian neighbours where the pandemic appears to be subsiding.
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Meanwhile, India overtook Russia to become the third worst-affected nation by the coronavirus after reporting 24,248 new cases on Monday, while Australia has closed the borders of its two most populous states in response to a fresh spike in cases.

Indonesia reported 70 casualties from the coronavirus on Monday, taking its total to 3,241, the health ministry said. Indonesia, which has the most infections in Southeast Asia, also reported 1,209 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 64,958.

“If we see the number of deaths nationwide, we are currently have [a mortality rate of] 5 per cent,” Achmad Yurianto, the ministry’s disease control and prevention director general, said.

“This is relatively high compared to the global average, which is currently at 4,72 per cent.”

Despite the rising death toll, authorities are proceeding with plans to gradually reopen Bali to tourism, starting with domestic travel while maintaining “strict health protocol”, provincial secretary Dewa Made Indra said.

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World’s largest temporary Covid-19 hospital opens in India as nation records record spike in cases

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The Philippines on Monday reported 2,099 new coronavirus cases as quarantine restrictions eased nearly four months since a lockdown was imposed. The death toll from Covid-19 rose to 1,303, with six additional deaths reported over the past 24 hours, the Department of Health said.

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