Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In Asia -- News Updates April 20-21, 2020

NPR: Singapore Sees Surge In COVID-19 Cases, Now Has Highest Number In Southeast Asia

Singapore today recorded 1,426 new COVID-19 infections, bringing its total to more than 8,000 in a population of nearly 6 million people. It now has the highest number of reported cases in Southeast Asia.

A little over a month ago, the prosperous city-state won praise as a model of how to control the spread of the virus without lockdowns. Mass testing, quick hospitalization of those infected, aggressive tracing and quarantining of those in contact with infected people helped keep numbers down.

In mid-March, infections started increasing. The city responded by tightening entry restrictions and imposed a partial lockdown and strict edicts on social distancing.

While the number of infections among Singaporean citizens or residents remains low, there has been a surge in transmission among foreign workers over the past two weeks.

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Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In Asia -- News Updates April 20-21, 2020

‘We are not the culprit’: Beijing tells US to stop blaming China for coronavirus pandemic -- SCMP
China cries foul over calls for COVID-19 transparency -- UPI
'It all feels a little off': Caution as post-virus China reopens -- Al Jazeera
China's top security official who supervised Wuhan's coronavirus prevention efforts is investigated by Beijing's anti-corruption watchdog -- AFP
India partially eases lockdown, but effort falters -- AFP
India reports biggest one-day coronavirus spike as lockdown eased -- Al Jazeera
COVID-19: India eases some restrictions amid economic distress -- DW

href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-japan/who-says-concerned-about-rising-confirmed-cases-in-japan-idUSKBN2230BV">WHO says concerned about rising confirmed cases in Japan -- Reuters
In Japan, dirty face masks spark online backlash against prime minister -- SCMP
Singapore sees 1,426 new cases in record daily high, most of them foreign workers -- SCMP
Singapore coronavirus outbreak surges with 3,000 new cases in three days -- The Guardian
Coronavirus infections rate among Philippine health workers 'worrisome': WHO expert -- Reuters
Coronavirus: fears grow of ‘martial-law like’ lockdown in the Philippines -- SCMP
Hong Kong to extend coronavirus-related restrictions by 14 days -- Reuters
Coronavirus: zero new infections in Hong Kong but authorities say social distancing rules, border controls must remain -- SCMP
Is North Korea really coronavirus-free? Defectors, experts question zero Covid-19 claim -- SCMP/AP
Indonesia's health system is vulnerable to COVID-19. Why was it late to adopt social distancing? -- ABC News Online
Coronavirus: 'Staff infected' in Afghan presidential palace -- BBC
Australia edges towards reopening schools as coronavirus infections slow -- Reuters
Jacinda Ardern announces New Zealand will relax coronavirus lockdown to level three next week -- ABC News Online
Coronavirus: How New Zealand relied on science and empathy -- BBC
New Zealand could pull off bold goal of eliminating virus -- AP