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 Thailand's 15,376 new cases were a daily high for a second
consecutive day in the nation of more than 66 million.
Malaysia, which has one of Southeast Asia's highest infection rates
relative to its population, passed the one-million mark on Sunday,
with a record 17,045 infections, despite being under lockdown since
June.
Like many parts of the region home to more than 650 million,
Malaysian hospitals and medical staff have taken the brunt of the
outbreak as beds, ventilators and oxygen run short.
Thousands of Malaysian contract doctors staged a walkout on Monday,
but pledged patients would not be affected by the protest.
"Almost 150 medical staff have resigned this year because they are
fatigued with the current system," said a doctor at a protest in the
Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, who gave only his first name,
Muhammad.
The doctors, who want permanent postings, as well as better pay and
benefits, said an offer by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to extend
their contracts did not go far enough.
Malaysia has outpaced many neighbours with its vaccination campaign,
however, as about 16.9% of its 32 million people have been fully
inoculated.
Last week, Thailand imposed tougher lockdown measures in the
capital, Bangkok, and 12 high-risk provinces, suspending most
domestic fights and widening the areas subjected to curfews.
The government has faced public criticism over the pace of its
vaccination rollout, with only 5.6% of the population fully
inoculated.
"I believe that the virus can be eliminated from the country if
everyone is vaccinated," said 48-year-old Charn, who was
accompanying an elderly relative getting a vaccine dose at a Bangkok
train station and declined to give his full name.
INDONESIA RELAXING SOME CURBS
Indonesia, Southeast Asia's most populous nation, with more than 270
million people, also has its biggest caseload. It has reported more
than 3.1 million infections and 83,000 deaths.
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 Still this week it said that
although curbs would be extended by a week, some
measures would be relaxed, allowing traditional
markets and restaurants with outdoor areas to
re-open. Hospitals have been
filled with patients in the past month, particularly on the densely
populated island of Java and in Bali, but on Sunday President Joko
Widodo said infections and hospital occupancy had declined, without
giving specifics.
"The decision doesn't seem to be related to the pandemic, but to
economics," said Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist at the University of
Indonesia, urging people to follow health protocols.
Indonesia's death toll set records on four days last week,
culminating in 1,566 on Friday, as authorities pledged to add more
intensive care units.
After having reined in the virus for much of the pandemic, Vietnam
has faced a renewed outbreak, with southern business hub Ho Chi Minh
City and surrounding provinces accounting for most new infections.
Since June, infections have surged in Myanmar, already in turmoil
after February's military coup. Sunday's 355 deaths were a record,
while daily cases topped 6,000 last Thursday.
In the Philippines, authorities have been scrambling to curb the
spread of the Delta variant.
 Infections have recently started to rise and authorities this week
suspended travel from Malaysia and Thailand, as well as tightening
curbs in the area around the capital, Manila.
(Additional reporting by Southeast Asian bureaus; Writing by Ed
Davies; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Clarence Fernandez)
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