COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
The COVID-19 pandemic began in Asia in Wuhan, Hubei, China, and has spread widely through the continent. As of 8 June 2020, at least one case of COVID-19 had been reported in every country in Asia except North Korea and Turkmenistan.
Countries with the highest numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases are India, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Among the earliest countries to report COVID-19 cases after the outbreak in China were South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, but these countries had successfully controlled the pandemic. The highest numbers of deaths are recorded in Iran, India, Turkey, China, and Pakistan, with more than 27,000 deaths combined. The death tolls in a number of countries, however, are claimed to be significantly higher than those given in official figures.
Several Southeast Asian countries experienced a significant rise in cases following a Tabligh Jamaat event from 27 February to 1 March at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, where many people are believed to have been infected. Similarly, events in India and Pakistan have also caused a surge in the number of cases in those countries. Major outbreaks emerged in dormitories for migrant workers in the Maldives and Singapore where social distancing was unable to be practiced and led to a significant rise in cases in both countries.
Confirmed cases
Afghanistan
On 23 February 2020, at least three citizens of Herat who had recently returned from Qom were suspected of COVID-19 infection. Blood samples were sent to Kabul for further testing. Afghanistan later closed its border with Iran.On 24 February, Afghanistan confirmed the first COVID-19 case involving one of the three people from Herat, a 35-year-old man who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. On 7 March, three new cases were confirmed in Herat province. On 10 March, the first case reported outside of Herat province, was in Samangan province, bringing to the total to five cases.
Armenia
Armenia confirmed the first case of coronavirus during the late night of 29 February/early morning of 1 March, announcing a 29-year-old Armenian citizen had returned from Iran and was confirmed positive for the virus. His wife was tested and results came in negative. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that he is "now in good condition." About 30 people who came in contact with him are being tested and will be quarantined. Armenia had earlier closed its border with Iran. As of 15 March there are 23 confirmed cases with over 300 being in quarantine.On March 23, it confirmed 23 cases.
Azerbaijan
On 28 February, Azerbaijan confirmed the first case from a Russian national, who was travelling from Iran. On 12 March, a woman died from multiorgan failure who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 a day earlier. This marked the first death of coronavirus in Azerbaijan. On 22 March, the first domestic human to human transmission was confirmed. On 31 March, Azerbaijan declared nationwide quarantine. People are required to stay in private houses and apartments, permanent or temporary places of residence until 20 April.Bahrain
The first case in the country was confirmed on 21 February.Bahrain has recorded a total of 2,009 COVID-19 cases including 7 deaths and 1,026 recoveries. The Bahraini government has unveiled a stimulus packages of 4.3 billion Bahraini Dinars that include exempting consumers from bills of electricity and water for three months.Bangladesh
The first three cases of the country were confirmed on 7 March 2020. Two of those affected returned to Bangladesh from Italy and one was a family member of one of those two. On March 18, the first known coronavirus death in the country was reported.On 22 March, Bangladesh declared a 10-day shut down effective from March 26 to April 4 to fight the spread of coronavirus.
Bangladesh on Wednesday reported the fifth death from the coronavirus though no new case of the infection came out in the last 24 hours as the country suspended all domestic flights, trains and public transport to fight the pandemic.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research has confirmed that one more person has died of coronavirus infection in Bangladesh, taking the number of deaths from the disease in the country to five, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
Bangladesh on Wednesday confirmed another death taking the death toll in the country to six while number of positive cases rose to 54.The nationwide lockdown has been extended till April 9 to curb the spread, however Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that offices and industries could resume work. Health minister Zahid Malik said "another 300 ventilators are being imported. There are about 700 ventilators across private hospitals".
Bhutan
On 6 March, the first case in the country was confirmed, a 76-year-old US male who travelled to the country.Brunei
On 9 March, the Ministry of Health confirmed that a preliminary coronavirus test had returned positive for a 53-year-old male who had returned from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 3 March. The patient was moved to the National Isolation Centre in Tutong for treatment.Cambodia
On 27 January, Cambodia confirmed the first COVID-19 case in Sihanoukville, a 60-year-old Chinese man, travelling to the coastal city from Wuhan with his family on 23 January. Three other members of his family were placed under quarantine as they did not appear to have symptoms, while he was placed in a separate room at the Preah Sihanouk Referral Hospital.By 10 February, after two weeks of being treated and kept under observation, he had fully recovered, Health Ministry stated on account of testing negative for the third time by Pasteur Institute of Cambodia. The family were finally discharged and flew back to their home country on the next day as of the 80 Chinese nationals who arrived in Sihanoukville on the same flight as the patient, most had since returned to China, although the city of Wuhan remained under quarantine at that time.
China
Sophisticated modelling of the outbreak suggests that the number of cases in mainland China would have been many times higher without interventions such as early detection, and isolation of the infected.For the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, China on Wednesday revealed the presence of 1,541 asymptomatic cases carrying the deadly novel coronavirus, raising concerns of a second wave of infections amid the relaxation of stringent measures in the country initiated to contain the deadly disease.
Asymptomatic coronavirus cases are those who carry the virus but do not show any symptoms and can cause sporadic clusters of infections. In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, China's National Health Commission said it would begin to release the data of asymptomatic patients.
A total of 1,541 asymptomatic patients infected with COVID-19 have been put under medical observation in China by the end of Monday, including 205 imported cases, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the NHC in a statement.
Cyprus
On 9 March, Cyprus confirmed its first 2 cases, one in Nicosia and one in Limassol.East Timor
On 20 March, East Timor confirmed its first COVID-19 case.Georgia
All flights from China and Wuhan to Tbilisi International Airport were cancelled until 27 January. The Health Ministry announced that all arriving passengers from China would be screened. Georgia also temporarily shut down all flights to Iran.On 26 February, Georgia confirmed its first COVID-19 case. A 50-year-old man, who returned to Georgia from Iran, was admitted to Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tbilisi. He came back to the Georgian border via Azerbaijan by taxi.
On 28 February, Georgia confirmed that a 31-year-old Georgia woman who had travelled to Italy tested positive and was admitted to Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tbilisi.
29 more are being kept in isolation in a Tbilisi hospital, with Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze stating there was a “high probability” that some of them have the virus.
On 5 March, five people have tested positive for the new coronavirus COVID-19 in Georgia increasing the total number of people infected in the country to nine. Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze made the announcement at the recent news briefing following today. He said, all of the five people belong to the same cluster who travelled together to Italy and returned to Georgia on Sunday.
On 7 March, three people have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of people infected individuals in the country to twelve. Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze said at a news briefing the following day that there is still no reason to panic. One of the infected individuals is Gamkrelidze's son Nikoloz. Gamkrelidze wrote on his Facebook page that he contracted the illness from a coworker, who has been tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Georgia has suspended direct flights with Italy in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country. Coronavirus in Georgia has mostly been detected in passengers who have travelled in Italy recently.
Hong Kong
As of 1 March, Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection had identified 100 cases in Hong Kong, with 36 patients since recovered and 2 died. By 2 April, the number of confirmed or probable cases in Hong Kong has risen to 767 after an influx of returning overseas students. 467, or 60.89% of cases were imported cases.India
Indonesia
Iran
reported its first confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections on 19 February 2020 in Qom. Later that day, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education stated that both had died.By 21 February, a total of 18 people had been confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infections and four COVID-19 deaths had occurred. On 24 February, according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, twelve COVID-19 deaths had occurred in Iran, out of a total of 64 SARS-CoV-2 confirmed infections.
On 25 February, Iran's Deputy Health Minister, Iraj Harirchi tested positive for COVID-19, having shown some signs of infection during the press conference. On 3 March, the official number of deaths in Iran rose to 77, the second highest deaths recorded outside China after Italy which has surpassed Iran, although the number of deaths is believed to be higher, up to 1,200 deaths due to Iranian Government's censorship and its eventual mishandling of virus outbreak. Iran currently has the most cases in Western Asia as well as the fourth most cases worldwide, with China, South Korea, and Italy surpassing Iran.
Iran's death toll goes to 2,234 on 26 March as 29,000 cases are reported. Public gatherings are banned as is transportation between cities; public parks are closed.
Iraq
The first case in the country was confirmed on 22 February. As of 21 July, there have been 97,159 confirmed cases.Israel
On 21 February, Israel confirmed the first case of COVID-19.As of 15 March, there have been 200 confirmed cases.
On 20 March, the first confirmed death in Israel was reported.
Japan
The first case was confirmed in a 30-year-old Chinese national who had previously travelled to Wuhan, developed a fever on 3 January, and returned to Japan on 6 January.Coronavirus infections in Japan topped 2,000 cases on 1 April, according to a Reuters calculation based on ministry data and media reports.
A facility for disabled people in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, found multiple people infected in March, bringing the total there to 121 in April.
New York Times reported that Japan, which has the capacity to test 7,500 people per day, has tested a fraction of COVID-19 patients, comparing Japan's situation to South Korea's one where about 360,000 South Koreans have been tested as of 26 March 2020. Columbia University professor Jeffrey Shaman suggested that Japan would not realise how things are going badly until it is too late. In late May, however, the death toll did not rise, and Foreign Policy magazine called the situation "Mysterious Success".
Jordan
On 2 March, the first case in the country was confirmed. Jordan has 212 confirmed infections on 26 March. Anyone who disobeys nightly curfew will be fined up to 500 dinars. The government placed Irbid under quarantine after it recorded 26 cases in the area.Kazakhstan
On 13 March, the first two cases in the country were confirmed.As of 10 June, there are 13,319 confirmed cases with 62 deaths.
Kuwait
The first case in the country was confirmed on 24 February.The Kuwaiti prime minister stressed that the State of Kuwait greatly values the contribution of the large Indian community there and would continue to ensure their safety and welfare in the present situation, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.
Modi expressed his thanks and appreciation for the reassurance.
Both leaders discussed the domestic and international aspects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said.
Kyrgyzstan
On 18 March, the first three cases in the country were confirmed.Kyrgyzstan had confirmed its first three coronavirus cases, Healthcare Minister Kosmosbek Cholponbayev said on Wednesday.
Three Kyrgyz nationals tested positive after arriving from Saudi Arabia.
Laos
As of 23 April, there are 19 confirmed cases in Laos.Lebanon
On 21 February 2020, Lebanon confirmed the first case of COVID-19, a 45-year-old woman travelling from Qom, Iran tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and was transferred to a hospital in Beirut. Lebanon had 386 cases and nine deaths through 25 March, when it instituted a lockdown through 12 April. Essential services, such as drugstores and supermarkets, must close at nightfall.The number of COVID-19 infections remained unchanged at 333, NNA said.
Meanwhile, the cabinet decided to extend the curfew to April 13, citing the increasing number of coronavirus infections.
Macau
The first case in Macau was confirmed on 22 January. As of 19 July, Macau has confirmed 46 cases, with all cases discharged.Malaysia
Eight Chinese nationals were quarantined at a hotel in Johor Bahru on 24 January after coming into contact with an infected person in neighbouring Singapore. Despite early reports of them testing negative for the virus, three of them were confirmed to be infected on 25 January.On 16 February, the 15th infected patient involving a Chinese female national had fully recovered, becoming the 8th patient cured from the virus in Malaysia. The following day, the first infected Malaysian also reportedly recovered, becoming the 9th cured.
In March 2020, several Southeast Asian countries experienced a significant rise in cases following an event held by Tablighi Jamaat at Jamek Mosque in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, where many people are believed to have been infected. By 17 March, almost two thirds of the 673 cases confirmed in Malaysia were related to the event. More than 620 people, including those from other countries, who attended the event have tested positive, making it the largest-known centre of transmission in South East Asia.
As of 01 August, there are a total of 8,985 confirmed cases, with 8,647 discharged and 125 deaths.
Maldives
On 7 March, the first two cases in the country were confirmed. By 21 July there are 3,252 confirmed cases in Maldives.Mongolia
On 10 March, the first case have been confirmed, a 57-year-old French citizen came from Moscow-Ulaanbaatar flight on 2 March and symptoms were shown on 7 March.Myanmar
On 23 March, Myanmar confirmed its first and second COVID-19 cases.Myanmar reported its first coronavirus death on 31 March, a 69-year-old man who also had cancer and died in a hospital in the commercial capital of Yangon, a government spokeswoman said.
He had sought medical treatment in Australia and stopped in Singapore on his way home, according to the health ministry.
Nepal
A Nepali student who had returned to Kathmandu from Wuhan became the first case of the country and South Asia on 24 January 2020. The second was confirmed on 23 March. The first case of local transmission was confirmed on 4 April in Kailali District.As of 14 May, Nepal has confirmed 249 cases, having conducted 62,000 Rapid diagnostic tests and 22,000 PCR tests; 35 patients have been confirmed recovered. All international flights have been suspended; and land borders sealed off. A countrywide lockdown came into effect on 24 March and is scheduled to end on 18 May.
Oman
On 24 February, the first two cases in the country were confirmed. As of 22 July, there are a total of 69,887 confirmed cases, with 46,608 discharged and 337 deaths.Pakistan
Palestine
Seven cases were confirmed in the State of Palestine on 5 March.Philippines
Qatar
Qatar confirmed its first case on 29 February, in a person who had returned from Iran. The first death in Qatar was recorded in on 28 March, a 57-year old Bangladeshi national who was already suffering from chronic disease. On 31 March, Qatar reported its second Coronavirus death and 88 new cases, taking its tally to 781. The Health Ministry announced that 11 infected people have already recovered.Russia
Russia implemented preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country by imposing quarantines, carrying raids on potential virus carriers and using facial recognition to impose quarantine measures.On 31 January, two cases were confirmed, one in Tyumen Oblast, another in Zabaykalsky Krai. Both were Chinese nationals, who have since recovered. By 17 April, first case was confirmed in the Altai Republic, thus all 27 federal subjects of Asian Russia had confirmed cases.
Saudi Arabia
On 27 February, Saudi Arabia announced temporary suspension of entry for individuals wanting to perform Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca or to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, as well as tourists. The rule was also extended to visitors traveling from countries where SARS-CoV-2 posed a risk.On 28 February, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia announced a temporary suspension of entry for Gulf Cooperation Council citizens to Mecca and Medina. Citizens of the GCC who had been in Saudi Arabia for more than 14 continuous days and didn't show any symptoms of COVID-19 would be excluded from this rule.
Saudi Arabia confirmed the first case on 2 March, a Saudi national returning from Iran via Bahrain.
On Thursday, 19 March Saudi Arabia suspended the holding of daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayers inside and outside the walls of the two mosques in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of coronavirus. As of Thursday, 334 confirmed cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia with eight cases been recovered. No deaths have been reported.
On Friday, 20 March, Saudi Arabia announced it is going to suspend all domestic flights, buses, taxis and trains for 14 days amid global coronavirus outbreak.
At the virtual G20 meeting, chaired by King Salman on 25 March, collective pledges were made to inject $4.8 trillion into the global economy to counteract the social and financial impacts of the pandemic.
On 26 March, authorities announced a total lockdown of Riyadh, Mecca and Medina, plus a nation-wide curfew. 1,012 cases and four deaths are reported.
Singapore
South Korea
The first confirmed case of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 in South Korea was announced 20 January 2020. The number of confirmed cases increased on 19 February by 20, and on 20 February by 58, giving a total of 346 confirmed cases on 21 February 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Korea, with the sudden jump mostly attributed to "Patient No. 31" who attended a gathering at a Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony church in Daegu., the number of confirmed cases in South Korea was the third largest after China and the infections on the Diamond Princess. By 24 February, the number of confirmed cases in South Korea was the second largest; as of 2020, the number was the fourth largest. A reason for the high number of confirmed cases is the high number of tests conducted. In South Korea more than 66,650 people were tested within a week of its first case of community transmission, and South Korea quickly became able to test 10,000 people a day.Sri Lanka
The first case in the country was confirmed on 27 January. The country has 2,078 cases as of 7 July. As of 7 July, Sri Lankan authorities have tracked down over 114,765 people who had contacted the identified patients and had ordered self quarantine for such people.Syria
Due to Syria already coping with the rampant civil war, fearing that Syria will be the most affected country is raising concerns, following a number of cases found in neighboring Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, and collapsed healthcare system as the result of the civil war. The Government of Iraqi Kurdistan, in a rare collaboration with its Syrian counterpart on 2 March, ordered complete closure of Syrian–Iraqi border to halt the spread.The first case in Syria was confirmed on 22 March.
Taiwan
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a much smaller impact in Taiwan than in most industrialised countries, with seven deaths total as of 11 May 2020. The number of active cases peaked on 6 April at 307 cases, the majority of which are imported.Tajikistan
On 30 April 2020, the first 15 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Tajikistan.Thailand
On 13 January, Thailand had its first case, also the first outside China.On 1 March, the first confirmed death in Thailand was reported.
As of 19 July, there were a total of 3,246 confirmed cases with 58 deaths and 3,096 recoveries.
Turkey
On 11 March 2020, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced that a Turkish man who had contracted the virus while travelling in Europe was the country's first coronavirus case.On 12 March 2020, the Turkish government announced that primary schools, middle schools, high schools, and universities in Turkey would be closed starting from 16 March 2020.
United Arab Emirates
The first case in the United Arab Emirates was confirmed on 29 January. It was the first country in the Middle East to report a confirmed case.The first death due to COVID-19 was reported on 20 March.
A curfew was implemented from 8 pm to 6 am on 26 March after beaches, malls and airports were closed. Public transportation was shut down. A nationwide disinfection and sterilization campaign was launched to commence during curfew hours.
Uzbekistan
On 15 March, the first case in the country was confirmed.Vietnam
The first two confirmed cases in Vietnam were admitted to Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City on 23 January 2020, is a 66-year-old Chinese man traveling from epicenter Wuhan to Hanoi to visit his son and his son who believed to have contracted the virus from his father when they met in Nha Trang.On 21 March, Vietnam suspended entry for all foreigners from midnight of 22 March, and concentrated isolation for 14 days in all cases of entry for Vietnamese citizens. From 1 April, Vietnam implemented nationwide isolation for 15 days. The drastic epidemic control measures have had positive results since the last case of local transmissions was from 16 April 2020 and the country is already starting to open up.
Yemen
The pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Yemen when its first confirmed case in Hadhramaut was reported on 10 April.The country is seen to be extremely vulnerable to the outbreak, given the dire humanitarian situation due to the civil war, exacerbated by the famine, cholera outbreaks, and military blockade by Saudi Arabia and allies.
Prevention in other countries and territories
Turkmenistan
As of 27 May 2020, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Turkmenistan. The government has censored use of the word "coronavirus".North Korea
There are no confirmed cases in North Korea. North Korea was one of the first countries to close borders due to COVID-19. In February, wearing face masks was obligatory and visiting public places such as restaurants was forbidden. Ski resorts and spas were closed and military parades, marathons, and other public events were cancelled.On 31 March 2020, the Asia Times reported that North Korea's measures against the pandemic seemed largely successful. Edwin Salvador, WHO's representative in North Korea, reported that as of 2 April, 709 people had been tested, with no confirmed cases, and 509 people were in quarantine. On 23 April, US analyst website 38 North reported that North Korea's early and extensive response appeared to be successful in containing the virus.