Paolo Fossati

Usually the school year starts in March, but the authorities were forced to postpone it three times for five weeks because of the COVID-19. It remains uncertain when students will be able to return to class. The virus has infected 9,786 people so far with 163 deaths.

It is the first time that the Games have been postponed in peacetime. The International Olympic Committee and Japan had been insisting the sports event go ahead. New dates overturn organization plans. The event was expected to cost US $ 12.6 billion.

South Koreans: 'A system similar to that shown last August was tested.' Yesterday's major weapons test is the fourth in this month. According to observers, the regime wants to strengthen its grip on power amid fears over the spread of the new coronavirus. Pyongyang has not yet responded to the US aid offer.

Vietnam has suspended cereal exports to protect domestic consumption. Malaysia is the 22nd largest consumer in the world. Imports cover between 30% and 40% of domestic need. Kuala Lumpur has stockpiles of 59 million chickens, 800 million eggs, enough meat and fish.

Many experts concur that the South Korean model of tracing and tracking the coronavirus emergency is a model to be emulated. The bishop of Daejeon praises the actions of the authorities and praises the citizens' response. "They showed great love of neighbor. It was deeply moving to see so many volunteers go to Daegu." The Church expects to resume public masses on April 6, Monday of Holy Week.

For the first time, state media published pandemic figures. Measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country will continue for a “long time." So far, North Korea has not reported any case of coronavirus infection.

Most economic activities never stopped. No part of the country was quarantined. Quick response with systematic testing, rigorous quarantine and civic engagement are the keys to the government’s success. As the number of new infections drops, the country is closer to getting back to normal.

Day labourers are the hardest hit. Some 3,042 food bags have been distributed to parishes and communities. Some 10,080,912 pesos (US$198,000) have been raised. Gift certificates and food vouchers have been given to more than 5 million people. For Caritas Manila’s executive secretary, the social impact of the emergency should not be overlooked.

Myanmar has so far been the most populous country without a single case of infection. The Burmese health system is ranked among the worst in the world: tampons performed on less than 300 people. Caritas official: "The government is starting to order closures and quarantines, especially in the state of Chin."

Malaysia leads the region in number of cases: 1,306. With 48 deaths, Indonesia holds the sad record of coronavirus deaths. Thailand’s king remains in Germany, causing controversy at home. Philippine President Duterte wants special powers to tackle the crisis.

David Cheng is the first of Malaysia’s two COVID-19 fatalities. A few hours after his death, the son wrote a message to friends and supporters, saying that his father “in a better place than all of us. So with that, we are putting on our garments of praise and still rejoicing through this storm.” The clergyman’s wife and daughter have also tested positive to the virus.

The tabligh was held in Sri Petaling's Jamek mosque from 27 February to 1 March. About 14,500 Malaysians and 1,500 foreigners attended the event. Scores of participants from Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand contracted the COVID-19 virus. Malaysian authorities tracked down 12,000 participants. Refugees are avoiding testing fearful of “arrest and other repercussions”.