Coronavirus: Alibaba, Jack Ma donate masks, test kits to Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand

Alibaba founder Jack Ma has donated Covid-19 test kits, face masks and protective gear sets to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, as Southeast Asian nations brace for a domestic surge in coronavirus infections.

The two foundations last week donated 500,000 test kits and 1 million masks to the United States, following donations of surgical masks to Japan and South Korea. Test kits and masks were sent to Italy, Belgium and Spain earlier this month. The foundations have also committed to support all African nations in their fight against the coronavirus.

Other Chinese tech companies including smartphone maker Oppo and its competitor Xiaomi have also donated masks and other equipment to countries affected by the outbreak.

The donations came as coronavirus cases rapidly increased in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia reported 110 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, with the total number of cases increasing to 900. Most of the new cases were linked to a religious gathering at a mosque attended by 16,000 people, the country’s health ministry said.

A total of 82 new cases were announced on Thursday in Indonesia, bringing the total cases to 309. It has recorded 25 deaths, the highest in Southeast Asia. President Joko Widodo has also raised concern about insufficient test kits in one of the world’s most populous nations.