COVID-19: Hanoi capital records two more community cases

Both new cases had close contact with COVID-19 patients in Hai Duong province, a gateway to Hanoi capital, according to the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Hanoi has so far registered 13 new infections closely linked to the ongoing coronavirus hotspots in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces.

Local authorities warned more new community cases would be detected in the coming days as confirmed cases have complicated travel history. They called on local residents coming from Hai Duong and Quang Ninh to immediately make health declarations and self-quarantine at home for 14 days.   

The municipal administration has moved to ban bar, dancing and U-sing along (karaoke) services as of February 1.

The fresh outbreak has so far spread to nine cities and provinces in Vietnam, namely Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hoa Binh, Gia Lai, HCM City and Binh Duong.

Hai Duong and Quang Ninh are the country’s current biggest coronavirus hotspots as the number of new infections make up most of the new infections. Yet, the Ministry of Health says the situation in the two hotspots are being kept in check as new infections are falling in numbers these days.

Elsewhere, Hai Phong port city has worked on a plan to set up three field hospitals in the locality in case new infections are recorded in large numbers. Currently, the city has registered one case at its children’s hospital.

Other localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Bac Ninh, and Hoa Binh have been stepping up contact tracing to early detect and quarantine those who came into contact with confirmed coronavirus cases.

Vietnam has recorded a total of 238 locally transmitted cases since the virus recurred in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh on January 27, 2021.