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Daily infection tally rises to 17,000 over 24 hours

Vietnam recorded a further 17,000 new Covid-19 cases on December 30, representing an increase of 3,107 from the previous day, according to the Ministry of Health. Hanoi continued to suffer the highest number of infections with roughly 1,866 cases, trailed by the southern province of Tay Ninh with 935 cases, and the northern port city of Hai Phong with 838 cases. Elsewhere, Ho Chi Minh City reported 697 new cases.

The capital city of Hanoi continued to be the leading locality on the list, with 1,866 cases. Other localities that reported new transmissions were Ca Mau (1,008), Tay Ninh (935), Hai Phong (838), Khanh Hoa (788), Binh Phuoc (759), Ho Chi Minh City (697), Bac Lieu (666), Binh Dinh (620).

Up to 34,102 patients were declared recovered from the disease, with 1,336,644 people across the country having been given the all-clear so far.

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Hanoi scraps centralized quarantine for visitors from Omicron-hit countries

Hanoi has reverted a previous decision to put visitors from Omicron-hit countries into centralized quarantine and is expected to make a new announcement later. A representative of the Ministry of Transport said Nguyen Manh Quyen, deputy chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, announced at a Thursday meeting that the city has scrapped the requirement. Previously on December 27, Hanoi requested that all visitors coming from Omicron-hit countries must be put into centralized quarantine regardless of their vaccination status or Covid-19 recovery.

In a document sent to the government on December 29, the transport ministry said eliminating centralized quarantine for entrants is necessary for the resumption of international flights. Hanoi's decision therefore would be a roadblock to the plan, making the resumption improbable. The transport ministry requested that localities follow guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, which stated that people who are either fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 would only need a three-day home quarantine period from Jan. 1. Those who don't would get a seven-day home quarantine period.

Vietnam is expected to resume international flights to nine markets starting January 1, 2022, including Japan, Singapore, and the U.S. All nine markets have recorded Covid-19 infections with the Omicron variant. Vietnam confirmed its first Omicron case on December 28, a person arriving in Hanoi from the U.K. on December 19. The person has been quarantined upon arrival and is receiving treatment at the 108 Military Hospital.

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HCM City suggests support for Covid-19-hit lonely old persons, orphans

Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said on December 30 that it has submitted a proposal on providing support for lonely senior citizens and orphans hit by the Covid-19 pandemic to the municipal People’s Committee. Accordingly, the total cost is estimated at nearly 16.8 billion VND (730,000 USD) each year, benefiting over 380 lonely old persons and over 2,200 orphans.

Specifically, the city will issue free health insurance cards and offer an allowance of 480,000 VND for those aged above 60 each month, and 700,000 VND for those aged above 70. Orphans will receive free education till high school level, vocational training, and free health insurance cards. Orphans under four years old will obtain 1 million each per month and those aged above four will receive 700,000 VND.

Recently, individuals and organizations at home and abroad have also provided scholarships for orphans and presented gifts to the elderly in the city.

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Health Ministry receives 100,000 doses of Russian-donated Sputnik Light vaccine

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan received 100,000 doses of the Sputnik Light Covid-19 vaccine donated for Vietnam by the Russian Government at a ceremony held in Hanoi on December 29. Speaking at the handover, Thuan appreciated the assistance of the Russian Government and people, considering it a source of great encouragement for Vietnam.

The support is even more meaningful as the two nations are about to celebrate the 72nd founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - 2022), contributing to further strengthening their traditional friendship and cooperation, the official added. He vowed to use the vaccine properly in line with Vietnam’s urgent pandemic prevention and control demand.

Attending the ceremony, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko stressed that the two sides should continue working together in response to the pandemic via specific medical engagements. Russia will accompany Vietnam in this challenging fight, the diplomat affirmed.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (Dec. 30): Health Professionals Okay Homegrown Vaccine As of 6 pm on December 29, Vietnam has detected 1,694,874 Covid-19 cases since the start of the first outbreak in January 2020, ranking 31st ...

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (Dec. 29): Vietnam Detects First Omicron Case The fourth wave that hit the country in late April has now seen over 1.67 million Covid-19 cases recorded, whilst more than 1.26 million have ...

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (Dec. 28): Daily Infections Fall To 15,000, Hanoi Tops Localities As of 6 pm on December 27, Vietnam has detected 1,666,545 Covid-19 cases since the start of the first outbreak in January 2020, ranking 31st ...