Southeast Asian countries are reporting significant declines in daily new infections but hard-hit Philippines has yet to completely flatten the curve.
Nearly 100 Deaths in the Philippines
On Thursday, the Philippines' Department of Health logged 3,249 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing national infections to 205,581.
There were 97 new fatalities linked to the novel coronavirus. The national death toll reached 3,434.
OFWs Infection Toll Pass 10,000
Meanwhile, infections among overseas Filipino workers were 10,041 this week, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Of that 6,080 have recovered and 742 died. There are 3,219 active cases among Filipinos working abroad.
The department said Thursday was the third consecutive day without a fatality among Filipinos working in other countries - raising hopes of a downtrend among overseas Filipino workers who have either been reinstated in their jobs or who chose not to go home.
Jakarta Still Worst-Hit in Indonesia
In Indonesia, daily new infections are still in the thousands with an additional 2,719 new confirmed COVID-19 cases Thursday.
Jakarta remains the worst affected spot and accounted for 760 of the day's new transmissions. The Indonesia capital has 36,213 confirmed coronavirus cases.
The country reported another 120 deaths from the disease. National fatalities are 7,064.
Finance Minister: Economic Recovery Leans on COVID-19 Vaccine
Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Thursday a coronavirus vaccine would significantly help boost economic activity.
Indrawati said the National Economic Recovery program was expected to help address Indonesia's economic difficulties as a result of the pandemic.
A day earlier after Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the country looked to obtain up to 30 million doses of a vaccine being developed by PT Bio Farma.
Malaysia's Recovery Rate Climbs Further
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the situation continues to become more positive as the recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the country has reached 96.8 percent.
Unlike the Philippines and Indonesia, Malaysia is among Southeast Asia countries that have contained the virus successfully. As of Thursday the country's infection toll was 9,296.
On Wednesday, five new COVID-19 cases were reported but 16 other patients were added to the recovery list. The country now has 177 active cases only and eight of those were in intensive care.
