The leader met with Zulkifli in a high-level meeting on virus developments. The minister has since tested positive for COVID-19 and is seeking treatment in a hospital.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin wears face mask at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Muhyddin said he would undergo self-quarantine at his residence for 14 days based on the Ministry of Health's advice. However, this will not affect government affairs as he will continue to work from home and have video calls for meetings, he said.

Over the last 24 hours, Malaysia confirmed a record 432 new infections, the highest daily spike since restrictions were imposed in March.

The country has seen a steady climb in cases in the past week.

Meanwhile, over 22 million students in the Philippines from public schools returned to classes on the same day after months of distance learning to stem the spread of the COVID-19.

The Philippines is the last in Southeast Asia to reopen schools.

The country will not allow COVID-19 to destroy education and children’s future, Philippine Education Secretary Leonor Briones told the press. Her department intended to resume classes on June 1 but the plan was postponed.

President Rodrigo Duterte congratulated the Department of Education for finally opening the school year.

The Philippine health ministry on October 5 reported 2,291 new coronavirus infections and 64 more deaths. Total confirmed cases in the country have increased to 324,762, while death toll reached 5,840.

Source: VNA