SEOUL－Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are being encouraged to prepare for a large-scale transmission as new infections of COVID-19 keep emerging.

The novel coronavirus epidemic is "far from over" in the region, and the current measures are merely buying time to prepare for large-scale community transmissions, said Takeshi Kasai, regional director for the Western Pacific at the World Health Organization.

The official also warned that for countries that are seeing a tapering off of cases, they should not let down their guard, or the virus may come surging back.

South Korea said on Tuesday it will begin the new school year on April 9 with online classes for middle and high school senior students following repeated delays.

The country reported a slight uptick in new cases on Tuesday. The 125 new cases, mostly driven by a steady rise in cluster infections and imported cases, have taken the nation's total infections to 9,786.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that he and his deputy would not attend meetings together to cut coronavirus risks as pressure for a lockdown builds, with domestic cases topping 2,000.

Abe's step came as Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said that Japan was not yet in a situation to declare a state of emergency, triggering a potential lockdown, but that the situation was precarious.

No signs of slowing down

In Iran, the latest figures indicated that the deadly virus is shown no signs of slowing down as cases rose by 3,111 to 44,606 on Tuesday, according to the health ministry.

The government has asked its citizens to avoid celebrating Nature Day, which falls on Wednesday, in parks and countrysides.

In India, where 32 deaths and 1,251 cases had been reported, the country is striving to put together enough medical supplies to meet any unexpected situation.

According to a statement issued by the country's ministry of health and family welfare on Monday, purchase orders had been placed with international companies like Hamilton, Mindray and Draeger to supply ventilators.

Australia on Tuesday reported a sustained fall in the new infections rate, from 25-30 percent a week ago to an average of 9 percent over the past three days. But officials and experts warned against complacency, stressing the need for further strict social distancing policies.

The authorities enacted sweeping powers to impose hefty fines and potential jail terms on anybody breaching rules that included a ban on public meetings of more than just two people.

In Africa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday defended the national lockdown, saying it is "absolutely necessary", as 1,326 people have tested positive.

In the coming days, the government would roll out a screening, testing, tracing and medical management program, he said.

Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.