COVID-19 Situation in ASEAN – April 26, 2020
By: dr Syahrizal Syarif
Ten ASEAN countries are not free from the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, Indonesia is the latest country reporting COVID-19 cases, approximately 20 days later than 9 other countries. The current situation of the outbreak as a whole is in a declining situation, under control, even the outbreak is almost over in more than half of ASEAN countries.
- Singapore is one of best countries in handling the outbreak. Previously, the outbreak was under control with a peak on March 25, 2020 with the highest number of only 73 cases, but a nightmare happened since April 5, 2020 on which the outbreak began to spread among South Asian migrant workers living in dormitories. The incidence rate continued to raise and reached a peak on April 20, 2020 with 1,426 new cases on that day. In the last six days, new cases have started to decline, indicating that the outbreak is decreasing, even though the outbreak reached the highest number in ASEAN countries of 13,624 cases.
- Indonesia has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia after Singapore with 8,882 cases. Daily case reports in the last two days showed a decline. To date, Indonesia’s highest case was reported on April 24, 2020 with 436 cases. While it is too early to say the epidemic has reached a peak, the numbers are encouraging. This decline in cases is evident in Jakarta, which is the area with the highest COVID-19 cases.
- The Philippines, with a total of 7,579 cases, is currently experiencing a decline in cases. In the late one week, the average daily case was around 127 cases.
- Malaysia is a neighboring country with a total of 5,780 cases of COVID-19. Since ten days ago, the number of new cases fell, never reaching 100, even only 38 new cases in the latest report.
- Thailand, the tourism country, has a cumulative 2,931 cases. Since the first week of April 2020, new cases have continued to drop, with an average of 25 new cases reported.
- Vietnam, reported 270 cases – without a single death. From April 15-26, 2020, there were only three new cases.
- Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi’s country, has 146 cases of COVID-19 with five deaths. In the last three days, only two new cases were reported.
- Brunei Darussalam reported 138 cases of COVID-19 with only one death. Since April 4 until today, there are three new cases.
- Cambodia, reported 122 cases of COVID-19 with no death. There have been no reported cases in the country for the last two weeks.
- Lao PDR, the ASEAN member state with the lowest COVID-19 cases, had only 19 cases without any deaths. Since April 12 until today, there is only 1 new case added.
This is an overview of the COVID-19 outbreak situations in 10 ASEAN member states. Indonesia and Singapore are still under heavy pressure, but by the spirit of ASEAN togetherness, let’s overcome this challenge. There is nothing miraculous in the effort to overcome COVID-19, all apply the Stay Home principle. If it is urgent to go out, please wear a mask, obey the PSBB, please don’t be stubborn. May Ramadan accelerate our success together in overcoming this pandemic.
