COVID-19: Daily caseload surpasses 17,000 mark again in Vietnam

Official data from the Ministry of Health also show that as many as 22,662 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospital and 230 patients died of COVID-19 and other underlying illnesses.

Of the new infections, more than two thirds (12,299) were detected in the community and 20 cases tested positive upon returning to Vietnam from overseas. The remaining cases were diagnosed in quarantine and lockdown areas.

The capital city of Hanoi registered most cases compared to other localities, at 2,505. The city is deploying a plan to treat 100,000 cases at healthcare facilities and at home by mobilizing State and private hospitals to engage in COVID-19 treatment.

Besides Hanoi, other northern provinces also recorded high numbers of new infections during the day, including Hai Phong (792), Bac Ninh (365), Hung Yen (345), Quang Ninh (337), Thai Nguyen (239), Hai Duong (229) and Ha Giang (227).

Though most of the cases were recorded in the south, the outbreak is showing signs of waning in localities, with Tay Ninh confirming 862, Ca Mau 687, Binh Phuoc 682, Vinh Long 657, Tra Vinh 576, Ben Tre 499 and Ho Chi Minh City 448.    

As of 06pm on January 5 Vietnam has detected 1,817,721 COVID-19 cases since the start of the first outbreak in January 2020, ranking 30th out of 223 countries and territories worldwide.

On average, 16,133 cases have been documented daily during the past seven days, and more than 20 Omicron cases have been confirmed.

Of the infected patients, 1,436,046 have recovered from the disease, and 33,475 patients have died of the disease. 

More than 155 million vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, with 69.8 million people getting their second shot and 7.4 million people receiving their booster jab.