TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic in seven more prefectures including Osaka and Aichi on Wednesday, broadening the scope of the measure amid a resurgence of the pandemic across the country.

The newly declared prefectures, also including Tochigi to the north of Tokyo, Gifu in central Japan, Hyogo and Kyoto in the west, and Fukuoka to the southwest, will remain in the status through Feb. 7. (Japan-COVID-19 Emergency)

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JAKARTA -- Indonesia reported 11,278 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday afternoon, the highest single-day rise since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country, bringing its total tally to 858,043.

The Health Ministry also reported 306 more fatalities, bringing the total death toll to 24,951. Meanwhile, 7,657 more patients were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 703,464.

The coronavirus has spread to all the country's 34 provinces. (Indonesia-COVID-19)

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MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines on Wednesday reported 1,453 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the country's total tally to 492,700.

The death toll climbed to 9,699 after 146 more patients died from the coronavirus epidemic. This is the second day for recording over 100 deaths, following 139 deaths on the previous day.

The DOH said in its daily bulletin that 397 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 458,523. (Philippines-COVID-19)

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TOKYO -- Tokyo stocks ended higher Wednesday, with the benchmark Nikkei stock index reaching its highest closing level in more than 30 years, helped by the advance of semiconductor-oriented issues.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 292.25 points, or 1.04 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 28,456.59, marking its highest closing level since August 1990.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, gained 6.46 points, or 0.35 percent, to finish at 1,864.40. (Japan-Stocks)

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BANGKOK -- Thailand on Wednesday confirmed 157 new cases of COVID-19, mostly domestic infections, said the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin.

Of the total, 132 were domestic cases while 25 others reported in returned overseas people who tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving in Thailand, the CCSA spokesman said.

The domestic cases included four children, ranging from nine months to nine years of age, who contracted the virus from their infected family members, according to the CCSA spokesman. (Thailand-COVID-19) Enditem

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