COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 19): 3 imported cases, 3 patients discharged from hospital
	COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 17): Strong response helps VN's economy weather pandemic, said CNA
	COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 16): Three new imported cases bring total to 1,405

Vietnam recorded six new imported COVID-19 cases on December 22 evening. (Photo: Nikkei)

6 new imported COVID-19 cases

Vietnam recorded six new imported COVID-19 cases on December 22 evening, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 1,420. The new patients included five Vietnamese citizens returning home from Poland and Germany, and one Japanese expert.

Of the total, 693 are domestically-transmitted cases, including 553 infections since the pandemic broke out in the central city of Da Nang on July 25, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The subcommittee for treatment reported that 12 more patients have given the all-clear from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,281. Meanwhile, the number of deaths related to the disease remained at 35. Among the patients undergoing treatment across the country, six people tested negative for the virus once, 10 twice, and four thrice.

As many as 16,360 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or entered Vietnam from pandemic-hit regions are currently quarantined nationwide, including 187 in hospitals, 15,038 in concentrated quarantine establishments, and the rest at their residences.

Vietnam impressively completed "2 main roles" amid COVID, said Sputnik. (Photo: TG&VN)

Vietnam impressively completed "2 main roles" amid COVID, said Sputnik

2020 is really a special year for Vietnam as for the first time in its diplomacy history, the country assumed both rotating ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), according to the Sputnik news agency of Russia. This is also a challenging year for Vietnam since the COVID-19 pandemic has been developing complicatedly, changing the lives of the whole world.

After reviewing the outstanding diplomatic events of Vietnam during the year, the news agency assessed that as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Vietnam has put forth many initiatives in less-mentioned fields such as humanitarian activity, peacekeeping missions, climate change mitigation, and cybercrime prevention. Of note, the country proposed the UN General Assembly approved a resolution taking December 27 as International Day for Epidemic Preparedness.

Regarding the role of rotating ASEAN Chair, Sputnik emphasized that the most remarkable feature of ASEAN 2020 was online conferences. Vietnam quickly adapted to the situation, applying cyberspace to organize conferences set in the plan of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year in the online format. This was warmly responded to by all ASEAN countries as well as the bloc’s partners. It proved that the COVID-19 pandemic could not break the cohesion of the entire ASEAN.

Over 300 Vietnamese citizens brought home from UK. (Photo: VNA)

Over 300 Vietnamese citizens brought home from UK

More than 360 Vietnamese citizens were brought home safely on a flight arranged by Vietnamese and UK agencies together with the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on December 21-22. The passengers included children under 18, the elderly, the ill, students who completed their study without accommodations, and those in extremely difficult circumstances.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK helped the citizens travel to the airport and sent staff to assist them with boarding procedures.

To ensure health for the citizens and prevent the spread of COVID-19, strict security, safety, and epidemiological measures were applied during the flight. After landing at Can Tho international airport in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, all passengers and crew members on the flights had their health checked and sent to quarantine in line with regulations.

The repatriation of Vietnamese citizens in disadvantaged circumstances abroad will continue to be conducted in line with citizens’ wishes, the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, and quarantine capacity in the country.

COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 22): New Year countdown party 2021 to be held virtually in Hochiminh City HCM City's annual countdown music party to welcome the New Year will be held virtually on December 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevention work.

COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 21): Deputy PM visits first COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers The first three volunteers receiving Nano Covax - the Vietnamese-made anti-COVID-19 vaccine - are in good health conditions 72 hours after injection

COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 20): VN shines in maintaining economic growth amid COVID, said int'l seminar Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov highlighted the important role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in leading the nation's construction and development, with remarkable ...