For the third successive day total deaths in Asean countries exceeded 500 on Friday, and new Covid-19 cases were more than 25,000. The Nation

Asean reports over 25,000 new Covid-19 cases, over 500 deaths

For the third successive day total deaths in Asean countries exceeded 500 on Friday, and new Covid-19 cases were more than 25,000.

Southeast Asia reported 25,659 new cases on Friday, slightly lower than Thursday's 25,820, while 506 people died, an improvement over the previous day's 537.

Total Covid-19 cases since the outbreak crossed 4.12 million, while the death toll rose to 80,744.

Malaysia's Ministry of Public Health urged people to follow strict disease control measures during the two-week countrywide lockdown from June 1-14. The death of three patients aged under 5 years on one day has raised concerns, as in 2020 the number was reported for the entire year. In 2021, 27 children have died so far due to Covid-19, 19 of them under 5 years old.

Laos reported nine new cases on Thursday, bringing cumulative cases in the country to 1,952. The government has extended lockdown measures in the country until June 19 but has allowed people to travel between areas that have no or low infection rate. People who have taken two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine for at least a month will be able to travel by land and air between Vientiane and other provinces without having to undergo a 14-day quarantine.