Here we offer a compilation of the latest information available on the Covid-19 pandemic on March 21.
Thailand
As of March 21, Thailand has reported 90 new cases, 9 people on repatriation flights and in state quarantine centers and 81 local transmission; with 0 deaths reported; the total remains at 27,803 infections and 90 deaths. 1,115 people are currently being treated for the coronavirus and 26,598 people are being treated.
The Songkran festival will not include water battles, powder coatings or foam parties, in order to prevent disease transmission.
The emergency decree will be extended from April 1 to May 31, 2021
The CCSA approved relaxed measures in various provinces, including Samut Sakhon. The province will no longer be in the red zone, nor in the “maximum controlled zones with very strict measures”. It will be among the controlled areas, where normal economic and social activities can be carried out.
Vaccination in Thailand is proceeding according to plan. Further doses of the vaccine continue to arrive in Thailand and will be distributed nationwide.
Thailand will reduce the quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days for those traveling from countries without cases of variant strains of COVID. But for visitors or Thais coming from countries with cases of variant strains of COVID, the 14-day quarantine is still active.
The Ministry of Public Health is conducting a study on the effectiveness of vaccines in people who received Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines to learn more about their ability to boost immunity in the body. The results will be published in two months and will help the government shape its vaccine policy.
Vietnam
As of March 22, 2021, Vietnam’s health ministry has confirmed a total of 2,572 COVID-19 cases. However, 2,198 of the affected patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital. Vietnam has also recorded 35 deaths from the pandemic. The last cases were imported and quarantined on arrival.
Vietnam’s own vaccine, called nanocovax, is expected to be available in the fourth quarter. The country inoculated more than 16,000 people with the AstraZeneca vaccine received last month, the government said, adding that negotiations were underway to purchase vaccines from other producers, including Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and the Sputnik maker V.
Singapore
Singapore registered 12 new cases on March 21, bringing the total to 60,196 out of 29 deaths.
Burma
The country recorded 22 new cases and one death on March 18, bringing the number to 142,212 cases and 3,204 deaths.
Brunei
Brunei reported a new patient with Covid-19 on March 21, bringing the country’s total cases to 206 and three deaths.
Cambodia
Cambodia reported 58 new cases on March 21, bringing the total to 1,690 cases and three deaths.
Indonesia recorded 4,369 new cases and 103 deaths on March 21, bringing the total to 1,460,184 cases and 39,550 deaths.
Indonesia’s main Muslim religious body issues a religious decree authorizing the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine among the Muslim community. Indonesian Ulema Council vice-chairman Ni’am Sholeh said the vaccine is produced using an enzyme derived from pigs, which is prohibited in Islam, but the COVID pandemic- 19 is an “emergency” situation exceeding the prohibition. It is “mandatory” for Muslims to participate in the government’s immunization program, and for the government to continue working on securing halal vaccines, he adds. The council, known as MUI, previously issued a halal certificate for China’s Sinovac vaccine in order to quell an anti-vaccine campaign among some local Muslim communities.
Indonesia’s Food and Medicines Agency said it had approved the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after examining reports that the vaccine had caused blood clots in some recipients in Europe.
Indonesia expects to receive 20.2 million doses of vaccines developed by Moderna and Chinese Sinopharm from the second quarter for use in a private vaccination program. The country last month allowed one of the world’s first private immunization programs to run alongside its national effort, allowing companies to purchase government-purchased vaccines for staff. While the plan is expected to speed up vaccinations, some have warned it could worsen inequalities.
Laos
Laos reported a new case on March 17, the total of cases is 49.
Malaysia
Malaysia recorded 1,327 new cases and 4 deaths on March 21, bringing the total to 333,040 cases and 1,233 deaths.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has unveiled a new round of economic stimulus. Muhyiddin says the government will roll out 20 billion ringgit ($ 4.86 billion) in stimulus packages, including a tax injection of 11 billion ringgit.
Philippines
The Philippines reported 7,757 new cases and 39 deaths on March 21, bringing the total to 663,794 cases and 12,968 deaths.
The Philippine Food and Drug Administration approves the emergency use of Sputnik V, the COVID vaccine developed by the Russian Gamaleya Institute.The country had previously granted emergency use permits to vaccines developed by Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac Biotech.
The Philippine government is suspending the entry of foreign nationals effective Saturday, April 19.
The restrictions currently in place in Metro Manila will also be imposed in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces, including nighttime curfews and a ban on mass gatherings.
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