Asian countries are also joining the race towards finding a vaccine that should help reduce the number of new COVID-19 infections in the region and around the world.
China Approves Human Tests for Two Experimental Vaccines
On Tuesday, state media reported that the Chinese government has approved human tests for two potential vaccines that should help in the battle against the novel coronavirus, Reuters reported.
The tests are still on the early stages and follows the clinical trial for another experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's Academy of Military Medical Services on March.
The vaccines that will be tested this time are being developed by a unit of Sinovac Biotech and the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products.
As of Tuesday, China has registered 82,249 confirmed coronavirus cases and 3,341 deaths.
South Korea Cases Below 30
For the second consecutive day, South Korea reported new COVID-19 cases below 30, as an apparent decline in the coronavirus outbreak in the country has been felt over the past week.
According to the Yonhap News Agency, only 27 new cases were recorded in the country on Tuesday, bringing South Korea's total to 10,564, as confirmed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
The peak of 909 cases on February 29 shows the significant difference in new cases over the past six days, when new COVID-19 cases in the country went below 50. Furthermore, the new patients include 12 imported cases.
As of Tuesday, South Korea has registered 222 coronavirus deaths.
North Korea Looks to Lay Low on Celebrations
A unification ministry official said on Tuesday that North Korea will likely lay low on upcoming celebrations for the birthday of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung.
The news came amid increasing fears over the coronavirus outbreak that has yet to be overcome completely by Asian countries and other nations around the world.
North Korea has not officially announced any COVID-19 infections in the country but some experts noted that the reclusive nation may be keeping caps on the true extent of the coronavirus outbreak within its borders.
Japan Sets Prisoners to Work on Protective Gear
Japanese prisoners have started working on creating protective gear for frontliners as well as cloth masks to help the country in its battle against the COVID-19 strain.
According to Kyodo News, around 100 inmates from different prisons across western Japan have set a goal of producing up to 66,000 masks per month as part of the orders from private companies last month.
In terms of protective gear, around 4,600 sets are expected to be developed monthly. Prisoners in Japan used to build carpentry goods and create leatherwear before the shortage on masks and protective gear came up due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Japan has so far recorded 7,370 confirmed CoVID-19 cases and at least 123 deaths.
Sydney Still Center of NSW Cases
In Australia, metropolitan Sydney remains the center of the coronavirus' outbreak in New South Wales, The Guardian reported.
Sydney has dense populations and it is also where many overseas travelers are in, making it central to Australia's COVID-19 outbreak. New South Wales currently has 225 people hospitalized due to the fast-spreading disease.
As of Tuesday, Australia has registered at least 6,400 confirmed coronavirus cases and 61 deaths.
