Hanoi (VNA) - Laos reported 127 new COVID-19 cases, including 54 infections in the community, in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health announced on September 14.

The new infections brought the national tally to 17,682, with 16 deaths.

Domestic cases are still detected in many localities, the ministry said. Vientiane capital logged the highest number with 24, followed by Champasak with 13.

The ministry has urged people to closely comply with COVID-19 preventive measures and asked relevant agencies to step up contact tracing in the community.

The Lao Government recently received 2 million USD from the US to help launch the country’s vaccination drive.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Secretary of State and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health Or Vandine on September 14 voiced a concern about the spread of the new variant if the implementation of the health measures is not adhered to seriously.

On the same day, Cambodia recorded 657 new cases and nine deaths, raising the total figures to 100,790 and 2,058, respectively.

The country’s inoculation drive made strides as a target to vaccinate people of 18 years old and over is projected to be reached this month. 

Latest data showed that Cambodia aims to immunise 12 million people, including over 1.9 million aged 12-17.

In Indonesia, 1,636 returnees tested positive with COVID-19 despite having disease-free certificates, the Health Ministry said on September 14.

The patients included 702 from Saudi Arabia, 582 from Malaysia, 143 from the United Arab Emirates, among others./.