HCM City coronavirus epicenter records 1,769 out of 2,106 new active cases

Of the total figure regarding local cases, Ho Chi Minh City reported the highest number at 1,769, followed by  Binh Duong (124), Dong Nai (43), Vinh Long (42), Dong Thap (41), Ben Tre (34), Khanh Hoa (22), Binh Phuoc (7), Soc Trang (6), Can Tho (4), An Giang (3), Hanoi, Bac Ninh , Binh Dinh (2 each), Phu Yen, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, Gia Lai (1 each),  of which 1,680 were detected within quarantine or lockdown zones.

The other cases came in contact with previously confirmed Covid-19 cases, linked to pandemic hotspots or are being contact traced.

3,321 community cases were logged on July 16, the second-highest daily count since the pandemic initially broke out early last year.

The death toll since the pandemic began also climbed to 225 after 18 fatalities were confirmed on July 16 evening.

In the face of the worsening pandemic situation, especially in southern localities, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control urged southern localities to further intensify response measures, maintain safe areas, and prepare for a worse situation.

In addition to measures such as tracing possible contacts, conducting screening testing and stamping out current outbreaks, the localities should have better plans to maintain safe areas, Dam emphasized.

The Ministry of Health has been tasked with purchasing biological products, medical equipment and supplies to help localities stay more proactive in pandemic prevention and control.

More than 4,233,890 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far, with 3,935,719 people getting the first shot and 298,177 others fully receiving two jabs.

An additional 41,817 people were inoculated against COVID-19 on July 16 alone.

The national infection count has now totaled 44,284 local and 2,008 imported cases, including 10,020 recoveries.