Asian countries battle infection surge

After successfully curbing COVID-19 last year, Taiwan recorded more than 1,300 domestic cases this week due to an outbreak connected to airline workers. This doubles Taiwan's total number of COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began. In Thailand, the government recorded 35 deaths Tuesday –– the highest since the pandemic began –– and another 29 on Wednesday. The country stood as another success story with only about 7,000 infections last year. Other countries, including Mongolia, Malaysia, and Singapore, have recorded similar jumps in cases and deaths.

What restrictions are countries imposing? Taiwan shut down schools, bars, religious gatherings, and gyms while banning indoor gatherings of more than five people. Authorities also placed more than 600,000 people under medical isolation for two weeks. Singapore stopped indoor dining, limited public gatherings to two people, and imposed social distancing measures until June 13. Hong Kong and Singapore delayed a travel bubble for the second time due to the rising cases.

Dig deeper: Read my WORLD Magazine report on the jump in cases in India.