Asia opens higher despite surging Covid 19 cases worldwide

Asian stock indices opened the first session of the week higher in tandem with US and European stocks ahead of the start of the earnings season and amid hopes for a quick timeline for developing and launching Covid 19 vaccines. 

The WHO reported a new record daily high of Covid 19 cases, with total cases reaching 12.55 million and the death toll at 561,617 worldwide. 

The WHO experts said the current gap between high new infections and slower death could be bridged in a few weeks, with the total death toll standing currently at 545,000. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 2.02% to 1,566, while Nikkei 225 climbed 1.73% to 22,677. 

China's CSI 300 climbed 1.60%, while Shanghai added 1.22% to 3,424. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 0.79% to 25,929, while South Korea's KOSPI rallied 1.47% to 2,181. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.23% to 11,421, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.67% to 5,958.