Turkey's new coronavirus cases climbed above 10,000 for the first time since mid-May on Friday and hit a level of 11,094, according to health ministry data which also showed 60 people died due to COVID-19.

"If you want tomorrow to be better than today, comply with the measures. Get vaccinated," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter as he released the data.

Infections remain well down from a wave in April-May when new virus cases peaked at more than 60,000.

They fell to 4418 on July 4 after a stringent lockdown that ended in mid-May.

Most of the last restrictions were lifted this month.

Meanwhile, Vietnam reported more than 7000 new daily cases of the coronavirus, a significant record as strict virus prevention protocols are enforced across the country, health authorities said.

On Friday, Vietnam reported 7307 new cases of the coronavirus - about five times the number of cases recorded during all of 2020, according to the Ministry of Health.

On Monday, authorities in the Vietnamese capital enforced strict virus prevention protocols, with all non-essential services closed.

Citizens are also asked to maintain a minimum distance of two metres in social situations and to only go outside if absolutely necessary.

Ho Chi Minh City, which is also under strict transmission prevention and distancing protocols, has emerged as the country's virus epicentre, recording 4913 cases on Friday.

On Thursday night, all 689 inmates and staff at Binh Duong drug rehab centre, located just a few hours from Ho Chi Minh City, tested positive for the virus according to local media reports.

Vietnam had been praised internationally for its response to the pandemic but after a month without any community transmission, local cases emerged again on April 27 and more than 50,000 have been reported since.

Taiwan will ease its COVID-19 restrictions next week, the government said on Friday, as rapidly falling case numbers give authorities confidence to further lower the alert level.

Taiwan imposed restrictions on gatherings, including closing entertainment venues and limiting restaurants to take-out service, in mid-May following a spike in domestic cases after months of no or few cases apart from imported ones.

While some of those curbs were eased this month, the so-called level 3 alert has been in force and is due to end on July 26.

with DPA

Australian Associated Press