HCMC – The Ministry of Health announced 1,438 additional Covid-19 domestic infections this morning, July 16, sending Vietnam’s tally to 42,288 cases as of now.
Of the new cases, 1,274 were found in quarantine centers or areas under lockdown, while the source of transmission of the rest remains unknown.
HCMC continued to account for the most, at 1,071 cases. The neighboring province of Dong Nai confirmed 72 cases. The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap came third with 66 cases, followed by Khanh Hoa with 57, Binh Duong with 53, Vinh Long with 36. The remaining cases were found in 12 other provinces and cities across the country.
These latest cases have raised the country’s domestic infection tally in the latest outbreak, which began on April 27, to 38,675 cases, with 58 out of the country’s 63 provinces and cities being affected.
The ministry also cited a report from Kien Giang Province, saying that this Mekong Delta locality suspended receiving tourists starting from July 14 to 30. During this period, the entire province implements the stay-at-home order under the prime minister’s Directive 15. Up to now, Kien Giang has reported 26 locally-infected cases in the latest coronavirus wave.
In related news, Thu Duc City in HCMC decided to put two additional wards, Hiep Binh Phuoc and Linh Xuan, under lockdown starting from 12 p.m. today until further notice to serve the Covid-19 fight, as these two wards have reported many infections, said Hoang Tung, chairman of the Thu Duc City government.
Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward is home to over 18,000 households with over 64,000 residents, while Linh Xuan Ward has more than 18,500 households with some 60,000 residents.
Overall, Thu Duc City has locked down seven of its 34 wards to contain the spread of the deadly disease.
Earlier, Thu Duc had imposed the lockdown restrictions on Tan Phu Ward from July 6, Binh Chieu and Truong Thanh wards from July 13, Tang Nhon Phu A and Long Thanh My wards from July 14.
