Two new cases in Hai Duong raise community infection tally to 1,603

Following the latest detection, the overall number of infections rose to  2,579, with a total of 910 community cases found since the virus reemerged in the country in late January.

As many as 2,265 individuals have gone on to make a full recovery from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the fatality count remaining at 35.

Furthermore, over 36,480 people are currently being quarantined for health observation, while 120 cases have tested negative for the virus at least once. 

According to information released by the National Expanded Programme on Immunization, more than 1,900 local people were vaccinated against the disease on March 24. This boosts the total to 39,817, the majority of whom are front-line health workers and staff of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme was carried out in 19 provinces and cities across the country as part of the first phase.

Moreover, the Military Medical University under the Ministry of National Defence on March 25 started to offer the second shots of the Nano Covax COVID-19 vaccine as part of the second trial phase to 26 volunteers who previously received their first jabs between February 26 and March 10.

Moving forward, the Military Medical University will submit the preliminary test results to the Ministry of Health and the National Council for Ethics in Biomedical Research in May who will conduct a review and evaluation, before concluding the third phase of trials.

The third phase of trials are set to take place from May to September, with the vaccine then registered for wider circulation in September, three months ahead of schedule.
The country is currently looking forward to having its own locally-produced vaccine available by the end of the third quarter.