Thailand on July 19 recorded 11,784 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. This is the fourth day in a row the Southeast Asian country has logged the highest number of new cases since the pandemic broke out.

Thailand also reported 81 more deaths from COVID-19. To date, the country has recorded 415,170 infections and 3,422 deaths.

An opinion poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University published on July 18 showed that the majority of Thai people think that the current COVID-19 situation in the country is extremely serious and it will take two years for the economy to recover.

Regarding the severity of the current COVID-19 situation, 60.93 percent of respondents considered it extremely serious, 24.12 percent said it was very serious, and 14.95 percent said it was quite serious.

When asked about how long it would take for Thailand to overcome the crisis, 36.74 percent said that it will take more than two years; 27.60 percent said it took one year and 9.73 percent said it took six months.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Health advised people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, especially the elderly, to stay at home as much as possible for the next few weeks, amid growing concerns about the new wave of community infection.

Singapore on July 18 recorded 88 new cases of COVID-19, with increased clusters of infections related to karaoke bars and Jurong fishing port.

About 73 percent of Singapore's population have received their first jab of COVID-19 vaccine, and the government is stepping up vaccinations for the elderly.

On the same day, the Malaysian Ministry of Health conditionally approved the import and distribution of two types of COVID-19 testing kits, sold at community pharmacies or registered medical centers.

These kits include the COVID-19 Salixium antigen rapid test kit manufactured by Reszon Diagnostic (Malaysia) and the COVID-19 Gmate antigen rapid test kit of Philosys (the Republic of Korea).

Source: VNA