Latest COVID-19 development in Asia

Malaysia will lift most coronavirus restrictions on businesses on Wednesday as the country is set to enter the "recovery phase," which will last until August 31, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced in a televised address on Sunday, saying the coronavirus pandemic was "under control" in the country.

India took the fifth spot for countries worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday. With 287 new deaths and 9,971 cases reported during the past 24 hours, the number of deaths has risen to 6,929 and the total cases reached 246,628.

The number of confirmed cases in the Philippines rose to 21,895 after 555 new infections were reported on Sunday. The death toll reached 1,003 after nine more patients succumbed to the disease

Thailand on Sunday reported eight new coronavirus cases and no new deaths, taking its total to 3,112 infections and 58 deaths.

Indonesia on Sunday detected 672 new coronavirus infections, bringing its total to 31,186. Meanwhile, 50 new deaths were also registered, taking the total to 1,851.

Singapore reported 383 new infections on Sunday, bringing the total number of novel coronavirus infections to 37,910. As of Saturday, 25 deaths related to the disease have been confirmed in the country. 

South Korea reported 57 news cases on Saturday, marking the second straight day the number crossed 50 as concerns rise over cluster infections in the greater Seoul area. Out of the 57 new cases, 53 were community transmissions. The country has reported a total of 11,776 cases.

Afghanistan's COVID-19 cases reached 20,345 after 791 new cases were reported, the health authority confirmed on Sunday. Its total fatalities stand at 357. So far, 1,875 patients have recovered.

(With input from agencies)