HCMC – The Ministry of Health confirmed 1,898 fresh Covid-19 cases this evening, July 16, bringing Vietnam’s single-day spike to 3,336.
Fifteen of the fresh infections are imported cases, while the rest came from domestic transmission.
Of the 1,883 locally-acquired cases, HCMC accounted for the majority, at 1,349, sending its daily spike to 2,420 and raising the city’s caseload during the current fourth coronavirus wave to 23,913.
The two southern provinces of Tien Giang and Binh Duong reported 146 and 113 fresh cases, respectively. Meanwhile, the remaining infections were detected in 22 other provinces and cities.
The ministry added that 332 Covid-19 patients have fully recovered from the disease today, taking the country’s recoveries to 10,020 cases.
Besides, the ministry announced 18 more Covid-19 deaths recorded from July 8 to 14 in HCMC, Dong Thap, Long An, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Bac Ninh and Bac Giang. Accordingly, the death toll linked to the coronavirus in the country has reached 225 cases, including 90 fatalities in the latest wave.
In related news, the Center for Disease Control in Khanh Hoa Province this morning said that the south-central province reported 88 more Covid-19 infections from 4 p.m. yesterday to 7 a.m. today, with its Ninh Hoa Town recording 85 cases.
Notably, the source of transmission of 43 out of the 85 fresh cases in Ninh Hoa remains unknown, reported Tuoi Tre newspaper.
Nguyen Thi Hong Hai, vice chairwoman of the Ninh Hoa Town government, said that the town has reported a total of 325 infections. Ninh Thuy Ward accounted for a high number at 72 cases, Ninh Da Ward had 25 cases, and Ninh Giang Ward 23 cases.
She added that the source of infection of these cases mainly comes from local wet markets and households. The town has locked down virus-hit areas, set up Covid-19 checkpoints at locations leading to local beaches, suspended the operations of makeshift markets and traditional markets.
According to the Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control, the province has reported 485 infections since June 23 to date, with six of the province’s nine districts being affected.
In another development, Hai Duong City in the northern province of the same name decided to suspend festivals, religious rites, sports competitions, and events gathering over 20 people in public places, stadiums and other non-essential major events starting from today until further notice to cushion the spread of Covid-19.
People are required to keep a safe physical distance of at least two meters apart. Non-essential services continue to be halted, such as karaoke and massage parlors, bars, clubs, game shops, billiards, cinemas, serviced swimming pools.
Restaurants and eateries must practice anti-virus measures and are not allowed to serve customers from virus-hit regions if they failed to show a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR testing certificate conducted within 72 hours.
