HCMC – The Ministry of Health reported 14,978 new Covid-19 cases today, January 23, with 44 of them imported and 14,934 others locally infected, down 724 cases day-on-day.
The new domestic infections were found in 62 cities and provinces, with Hanoi recording the highest case number, at 2,967. It was followed by Danang with 984, Haiphong with 764 and Hung Yen with 629.
Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam and Quang Ninh recorded 489, 435 and 427 cases, respectively. Other localities had fewer than 400 cases each.
The new Covid cases have sent the country’s Covid tally in the fourth wave to over 2.13 million, including some 1.8 million recoveries.
To date, Vietnam has had 135 Omicron cases, detected in 10 cities and provinces.
The Ministry of Health also reported 123 Covid-19 deaths, including six in HCMC, the lowest since July. In addition, 16 Covid fatalities were detected in Hanoi and 10 in Dong Thap, while 24 others localities had fewer than 10 Covid deaths each.
In related news, the Ministry of Health has asked cities and provinces to instruct residents returning from other localities to strictly comply with anti-pandemic measures and not to put them under quarantine.
In a document issued on January 22, the ministry stated that residents returning from other localities will monitor their health at home.
If residents show the symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, they must limit their contact with others and travel, and immediately inform the local healthcare agencies of their conditions.
Localities must enhance the inspection and supervision of residents’ compliance with anti-pandemic regulations and promptly amend unreasonable regulations.
According to the Ministry of Health, the decision was made following the country’s high vaccination rate.
In reality, many localities have issued different quarantine and testing regulations.
The prime minister had earlier asked localities not to issue regulations that went against the regulations of the Government and the Ministry of Health, which might cause difficulties for residents returning to their hometowns to enjoy the Tet holiday.
