HCMC – The Ministry of Health today, January 13 reported 16,725 fresh Covid cases, with 25 of them imported and 16,700 locally transmitted in all cities and provinces, up 634 infections against yesterday.
Hanoi City took the lead in the number of domestic cases with 2,968, followed by Binh Phuoc with 726, Binh Dinh with 709 and HCMC with 701.
Khanh Hoa, Danang, Ca Mau, Ben Tre, Haiphong, Tay Ninh and Daklak detected around 410-670 infections each, while the rest were found in other localities.
The country has detected 50 Omicron-hit cases, with all of them put under quarantine after their arrival in Hanoi, Quang Nam, HCMC, Hai Duong, Haiphong, Thanh Hoa, Danang, Khanh Hoa and Long An.
Since the fourth wave of the pandemic began in late April last year, Vietnam has confirmed over 1.96 million locally-infected cases.
More than 26,030 Covid patients were discharged from hospitals nationwide today, raising the total number of recoveries to nearly 1.7 million.
The ministry also reported 206 new Covid fatalities, including 30 in Dong Thap, 19 in HCMC, 14 in Vinh Long, 13 in Hanoi, 11 each in An Giang and Tien Giang and 10 each in Binh Duong, Long An and Can Tho. Other localities reported fewer than 10 deaths each.
The country’s Covid death toll now stands at 35,170, accounting for 1.8% of the total infections.
In related news, among over 53,000 Covid patients under treatment in Hanoi City, more than 500 of them became critically ill, up 17.4% week-on-week.
Most of severely ill patients are people aged over 50, those with underlying illnesses and unvaccinated people, according to the Hanoi Medical University Hospital, which is treating over 200 Covid patients.
Besides, nearly 2,000 Covid patients are developing mild or no symptoms, while the remainder have moderate symptoms, the local media reported.
In another development, Nam Dinh Province will suspend festivals and entertainment activities during the Lunar New Year holiday due to a surge in Covid-19 infections. The province today reported 128 Covid infections.
In addition, the province will cancel a New Year fireworks show, according to the provincial government’s decision.
Elsewhere in Haiphong City, after Cat Ba Town in the city’s Cat Hai District upgraded the Covid transmission risk level from high to extremely high, the district asked the Cat Bai tourist area to shut down, while residents were told to avoid mass gatherings and cancel non-essential events.
Eateries and restaurants in the district are only allowed to offer take-away services.
