Iran Press/ Asia: New Zealand recorded 10,320 new community cases of COVID-19 and 34 more deaths from the pandemic, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.
It said 396 COVID-19 cases have recently traveled overseas.
Currently, 744 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 17 in intensive care units or high dependency units.
New Zealand has reported 1,519,314 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic hit the country in early 2020.
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PM encourages Australians to wear masks amid COVID-19 surge in winter
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asked people to wear masks when needed amid soaring coronavirus cases.
Albanese on Wednesday said the Chief Health Officers have not recommended the return of nationwide mask mandates, with the government instead relying on people to do so where appropriate.
"We do want to encourage that behavior," Albanese told reporters.
He said there were four things Australians could do to "make a difference" during the current spike in infections.
"Get your booster. Get access to antivirals if you're eligible. Wear a mask if it's appropriate, and stay at home if you are sick," Albanese said.
Australia on Wednesday reported more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 80 deaths.
As of Tuesday, there were 5,239 cases being treated in Australian hospitals including 158 in intensive care units, with an increase of almost 2,000 hospitalized cases from 3,272 at the start of July.
Amid the surge, Albanese said more than 500,000 Australians have received their fourth vaccine dose last week.
On Wednesday, top doctors' body the Australian Medical Association (AMA) called for a return of mask mandates.
"If we are going to try and protect hospitals, which obviously we believe should be a public priority, then we are going to have to slow down the spread of the disease in the community," President Omar Khorshid told the Guardian Australia.
"People's care is already being harmed by the extraordinary pressure on hospitals."
As of Tuesday afternoon, a total of 8,850,343 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Australia, with 10,794 deaths and 347,756 active cases, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.
Malaysia reports 3,902 new COVID-19 infections, 8 more deaths
Malaysia reported 3,902 new COVID-19 infections as of midnight Tuesday, bringing the national total to 4,629,963, according to the health ministry.
There are four new imported cases, with 3,898 cases being local transmissions, data released on the ministry's website showed.
Eight new deaths have been reported, pushing the death toll to 35,870.
The ministry reported 2,935 new recoveries, bringing the total number of cured and discharged to 4,550,949.
There are 43,144 active cases, with 55 being held in intensive care and 39 of those in need of assisted breathing.
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New Zealand, Malaysia report new community cases of COVID-19
New Zealand, Malaysia report new cases of COVID-19
