Southeast Asian countries continue to implement vigilant measures amid the coronavirus outbreak, as new cases decline and some regions see a much slower hike in new infections.
Malaysia's Demand for E-Books Spikes
Amid the ensuing Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, demand for digital books from the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) has been increasing over the past weeks, BERNAMA reported.
For the month of March, almost 40,000 of the library's e-books were borrowed, senior deputy director of the PNM Library System and Network Division Aidatul Hasnida Abdul Rani revealed.
Usually, the average number of books being borrowed from the library reach only 15,000. However, the order for citizens to stay at home amid the COVID-19 situation has pushed people to borrow more e-books to pass time.
As of Sunday, Malaysia logged 5,742 confirmed coronavirus cases and 98 deaths.
Thailand's Emergency Extended
In Thailand, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Monday that the Emergency Decree will be retained until the end of May as part of the efforts to flatten the coronavirus curve in the country.
According to the Bangkok Post, CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin noted that the reason for extending the Emergency Decree for another month was due to continuous concerns about the COVID-19 strain.
Thailand's Emergency Decree was supposed to expire on April 30. As of Sunday, the country reported 2,907 confirmed coronavirus cases and 51 deaths.
Rice Stock Secure in Indonesia, Minister Says
Indonesia's rice stock is safe even during the coronavirus outbreak, agriculture minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said on Monday as questions about the country's food safes rise, ANTARA reported.
The minister went on to reveal that Indonesia recorded a surplus of around 3.5 million tons in rice reserves for the period of February to May. During the said period, 12.4 million tons of rice were produced in the country.
"Stocks are safe until the fasting month and Eid al-Fitr," Yasin noted. Until the end of May, it is expected that 8.3 million tons of rice will be available for Indonesians.
Indonesia registered 8,607 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 720 deaths from the fast-spreading disease as of Sunday.
Philippines Logs Nearly 200 New Cases
The Philippines reported 198 new coronavirus cases on Monday, as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH).
According to ABS-CBN News, the country now has a total of 7,777 COVID-19 cases. There were also 10 new deaths on Monday, bringing the national tally to 511.
Despite the new cases and deaths, the country saw 70 new recovered patients. The Philippines now has a total of 932 recoveries, marking a significant difference from the number of deaths and recoveries in the country.
The government last week extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for some areas in the northern island of Luzon until May 15. Some regions are expected to see the ECQ lifted by April 30, depending on the spike or decline of new COVID-19 cases.
