Single-day high COVID deaths in Cambodia

Cambodia has reported a single-day record of 20 deaths from COVID-19, with the country detecting its first Delta variant cases and authorities urging people to be vigilant.

The Southeast Asian nation has recorded one of the world's smallest COVID-19 caseloads, but the outbreak that was first detected in late February has caused infections to climb to 42,052 cases, with a total of 414 deaths.

"Please continue to be vigilant by practising hygiene, social distancing and not leaving your homes unnecessarily," Cambodia's Communicable Disease Control Department said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.

"Our country and the world continue to be plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Ministry of Health also reported seven cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus among arrivals by land from neighbouring Thailand.

"Every one must continue to be vigilant," Or Vandine, secretary of state and health ministry spokeswoman, said in a tweet.