Malaysia announced 260 new cases of COVID-19 on October 1, the highest daily number in the country since 4 June, raising its total count to 11,484.

In Malaysia (Photo: Xinhua)

The death toll from COVID-19 in Malaysia is now 136.

Also in the past 24 hours, the Philippines recorded 2,415 more cases and 59 new deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 314,079 and fatalities to 5,562.

The country’s Health Ministry said so far more than 3.52 million out of the national population of 109 million have been tested for SARS-CoV-2. 

The same day, Indonesia reported an additional 4,174 cases and 116 more deaths of COVID-19. The country’s total count of cases now stood at 291,182 and the death toll at 10,856. 

Also on 1 October, Laos relaxed some restrictions with the aim to support economic recovery while still maintaining the ban on entry and exit through border gates, except for diplomats, staff members of international organisations, foreign experts, investors and businesspeople.

The Lao government has agreed in principle to allow groups of tourists from countries free from community-transmitted COVID-19 cases, and allowed continued talks with Vietnam and China on the opening of “green lanes”.

Lao citizens in countries without community-transmitted cases of COVID-19 are now also allowed to return to Laos. After arriving, they have to take tests and wait for test results for 48 hours. If the test result is negative, they can undergo quarantine at their office or accommodation.

Source: VNA