HCMC – Vietnam reported 12,096 new Covid-19 cases this evening, August 25, marking a new high in daily cases in the country, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
Three of the fresh cases were imported. Meanwhile, 12,093 others caught the disease through community transmission, soaring 1,296 cases day-on-day.
HCMC as usual was on top with 5,294 new cases, up 667 cases compared to yesterday. The neighboring province of Binh Duong came second with 4,129 cases, rising 501 cases against yesterday. The remaining cases were found in 34 other provinces and cities.
The ministry also announced 7,646 new recoveries on the same day. In addition, the ministry recorded 335 Covid deaths yesterday in 11 provinces and cities, with HCMC accounting for the most at 266 cases.
Overall, the current fourth coronavirus wave, which struck the country in late April, saw 377,245 cases in total. Of them, more than 167,000 patients have fully recovered.
In related news, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province decided to extend the social distancing order for two more weeks till September 8, as the source of transmission of many Covid cases in this southern province remains unknown and some infection clusters have yet to be brought under control, said Pham Viet Thanh, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, at a Covid-related meeting held today.
Earlier, the province set a goal of putting the latest outbreak under control by August 25, but it finally failed. The local health system has gained experiences from coping with the previous outbreaks, but it would be overwhelmed if the number of new cases continues to rise.
Since the latest coronavirus wave hit the province around two months ago, it has reported 3,080 cases, including 27 deaths and 1,876 recoveries.
The province has 14 Covid treatment facilities with nearly 3,000 beds, and 56 quarantine centers that can accommodate 8,645 people.
In the next two weeks, the province will impose stricter Covid restrictions under the prime minister’s Directive 16 on Vung Tau City, Ba Ria City, Phu My Town, and four districts, while the island district of Con Dao will continue to follow the prime minister’s Directive 15.
Local residents are banned from going out and stay where they are. The competent forces will strictly monitor people entering the province, especially those returning from hospitals or virus-hit regions.
Elsewhere, the north-central province of Ha Tinh has mapped out a scenario in which there could be 1,000 infections in the province, with some 460 patients expected to experience moderate and severe symptoms. Under this scenario, it will prepare 1,000 beds for treating Covid patients and 20,000 others to serve the quarantine purpose. The province has so far recorded 407 Covid-19 cases.
