HCMC – Covid-19 infections continue to spiral up as the Ministry of Health this evening, February 24 confirmed 69,128 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day spike so far.
Among the latest cases, nine were imported and 69,119 others were locally infected in 62 cities and provinces, up 8,781 infections against yesterday.
Hanoi City took the lead by domestic infections with 8,864, followed by Bac Giang with 4,171, Hai Duong with 2,948, Son La with 2,860, Phu Tho with 2,596 and Nam Dinh with 2,592.
HCMC saw its daily Covid case number jump by 1,015 cases day-on-day, at 2,466, while Hoa Binh, Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc reported 2,117 to 2,390 infections each. Other localities detected fewer than 2,000 cases each.
Since the Covid pandemic emerged in Vietnam, the country has reported over 3.04 million Covid cases.
The ministry also reported 111 new Covid fatalities in 37 cities and provinces, taking the Covid death toll to 39,884.
In related news, Thai Nguyen University in the northern province of Thai Nguyen reported over 2,000 Covid cases among students after reopening its doors.
Among over 2,000 Covid-infected students, more than 1,000 live in the university’s dormitory, said a representative of the university.
Most of these Covid cases are developing mild symptoms, the local media reported.
The university has a total 37,900 students, with 20,000 of them having been returning to in-person classes. Thai Nguyen University is giving both online and in-person instructions.
In another development, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen has told the provincial and municipal governments to ensure a sufficient supply of medical equipment and enhance inspection into medical equipment trading to prevent hoarding and price gouging.
Due to a surge in Covid hospitalizations, the demand for medical equipment, mainly test kits and pulse oximeters, is soaring, leading to a shortage of the medical equipment for Covid treatment and possible hoarding and price gouging, according to the Ministry of Health.
The ministry also asked competent agencies of provinces and cities to impose harsh sanctions on violators.
