Latest COVID-19 developments around the world

Japan's total number of confirmed cases increased by 480 to reach 79,260 as of Sunday evening, while death toll stands at 1,520. On Saturday, Japan relaxed a rule limiting the size of crowds at professional sports matches, movie theaters and other events, in an effort to gradually restore social and economic activities to pre-pandemic levels.

Belarus reported 213 new cases and four more deaths on Sunday, taking the total of confirmed cases to 75,674 with 780 deaths. As of Sunday, 1,730,754 tests for the virus have been conducted across the country, including 15,374 over the past 24 hours, according to official figures. 

Malaysia reported 52 new infections on Sunday, bringing the national total to 10,219 with 130 deaths. The government is preparing the agreement to join the Coalition for Epidemic and Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and a government-to-government (G2G) pact with the Chinese government to gain access to vaccines developed by pharmaceutical companies in China.

The Philippines recorded 3,311 new cases with 55 new deaths on Sunday, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 286,743 and death toll to 4,984. The health authorities said that the number of recoveries also surged to 229,865 after 20,021 more patients have survived the disease.

Egypt registered on Saturday night 128 new cases, bringing the total infections in the country to 101,900. Meanwhile, 17 patients died from the disease in the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 5,750.

Kuwait reported 385 new cases and three more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 99,434 and the death toll to 584. Kuwait's theaters and cinemas were allowed to reopen and all social events were permitted to be held since September 14.