NDO/VNA – Thailand on September 23 reported 13,256 new COVID-19 infections and 131 fatalities, raising the national counts to 1.52 million and 15,884, respectively.

On September 22, additional 13,829 patients in Thailand were given the all-clear. At present, more than 3,400 patients are in critical conditions.

The country has to date administered over 46.6 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19, with 22.6% of the population receiving two jabs. It has set a target to raise the figure to 70% by the end of this year.

In the Philippines, 17,411 new cases and 177 new deaths were added to the national tallies on September 23, bringing the total numbers to 2.43 million and 37,405, respectively.

Meanwhile, as of the end of September 23, Cambodia had so far recorded 106,619 new infections and 2,176 fatalities, with 638 cases and 22 deaths detected on the day.

Amidst complicated developments of the pandemic, Phnom Penh decided to temporarily suspend all mass religious gatherings in the Cambodian capital until further notice.

Earlier, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said the possible spread of COVID-19 during the 15-day Pchum Ben festival was of great concern and could lead to many infections if the celebration is left unmanaged.

He noted that in just two days since the festival kicked off on September 22, there have been many cases reported at some pagodas. At Chom Pus Ka-ek pagoda alone, 45 infections have been detected, prompting its temporary closure.