Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (August 18): Vietnam Records Additional 9,605 Cases

During the fourth pandemic wave since April 27, there have been 289,276 cases, 108,534 of them have been given all-clear from the virus.

August 18, 2021 | 09:06

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Photo: VN Express

Vietnam records additional 9,605 cases

The Ministry of Health reported an additional 9,605 infections in the past 24 hours to 6 pm on August 17, including 10 imported and 9,595 domestic cases.

The new infections were found in Ho Chi Minh City with 3,559 cases, Binh Duong 3,332, Long An 581, Tien Giang 411, Dong Nai 298, Can Tho 172, Dong Thap 170, Khanh Hoa 139, Da Nang 124, Tay Ninh 88, Tra Vinh and Ba Ria – Vung Tau each 79, Vinh Long 76, Phu Yen 71, Hanoi 61, Binh Thuan 55, Soc Trang 44, An Giang 33, Kien Giang 31, Gia Lai 26, Dak Lak 24, Bac Ninh 20, Ha Tinh 19, Nghe An 16, Binh Dinh and Thanh Hoa each 12, Ninh Thuan and Quang Nam each 11, Ben Tre 10, Quang Ngai and Quang Tri each 5, Lao Cai 4, Bac Lieu, Lang Son, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc each 3, Ca Mau 2, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen and Thua Thien-Hue each 1.

Also on August 17, as many as 4,331 patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 111,308, while 331 cases were reported dead.

Photo: Zing News

Remdesivir delivered to Covid-19 hotspots in Vietnam

The Ministry of Health on August 17 distributed 30,000 vials of Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral medication, to intensive care unit (ICU) centres and eight localities in the south to assist them with the Covid-19 fight. This was the second time the ministry has delivered the drug to treat patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. On August 8 Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam received 10,000 vials of the drug.

The Remdesivir rollout is part of the 500,000 vials that Vingroup, a leading multi-sectoral conglomerate of Vietnam, has purchased from India and donated to the MoH to treat COVID-19 patients. Another 330,000 vials of the drug are set to arrive in Vietnam by the end of August 2021.

Remdesivir, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, proves to shorten the recovery time and drastically reduce the mortality rate among critically ill patients. The much-sought-after drug has been used in 50 countries and territories worldwide, including the US, European Union states, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and India.

Photo: Zing News

Ho Chi Minh City appeals for emergency aid to support Covid affected people

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, has requested that the Government provide the city with VND 28,000 billion (US$ 1.2 million) and more than 142,000 tonnes of rice to support poor laborers affected by Covid-19.

The municipal administration says millions of local poor labourers have fallen victim to COVID-19 during the social distancing period, and they therefore need emergency aid to afford daily food and pay house rents.

According to its calculations, the city currently has 1,580,110 households of poor laborers, an equivalent to 4,740,330 people. It is expected to assist each household with VND 50,000 (US$ 2,2) /day to purchase food and VND 1.5 million (US$ 65,2) per month to pay accommodation rent. In addition, each poor laborer will also get 15 kg of rice.

Photo: VN Express

China shuts down one border gate with Vietnam over Covid-19 fear

China has temporarily shut down one of its border gates with Vietnam in Guangxi due to possible Covid-19 linkage in transportation.

Custom officials of China’s Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has temporary shut down the border gate with Vietnam’s Lang Son Province to review their Covid-19 safety measures, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. They have found Covid-19 cases to be linked with drivers passing through the gate, the ministry added. Lang Son authorities are working with Chinese officials to resume trade with safety measures imposed.

Last week, leaders of China-bordering provinces like Lang Son, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Cao Bang reported China had increased the frequency of examining and disinfecting products and vehicles due to fear of them carrying the novel coronavirus from Vietnam. This has increased the time it takes for goods to be transported and caused occasional jams, they said

Since the pandemic hit the country, Vietnam has recorded 293,301 cases, ranking 77th out of 222 countries and territories. There are 2,983 infections on average per 1 million people, placing Vietnam 171st out of 222 countries and territories.

During the fourth pandemic wave since April 27, there have been 289,276 cases, 108,534 of them have been given all-clear from the virus.

Six out of 62 cities and provinces have gone through 14 consecutive days without new cases, including Quang Ninh, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh and Hai Phong.