Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (Feb. 21): Daily Count First Time Hits More Than 47,000

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi song

Vietnam records 47,200 new Covid-19 cases on February 20

For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, as many as 47,200 people have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a single day, the Ministry of Health reported on February 20, according to VOV.

Of the total, 33,851 cases were diagnosed in the community, eight tested positive upon returning from overseas, and the remainder were detected in the lockdown or quarantine areas. The same day, the Ministry of Health also announced an additional 13,414 recoveries and 78 more deaths.

Northern localities made up approximately three-fourths of the total infection number. Hanoi capital topped localities as its daily count surpassed the 5,000 case mark, hitting 5,102, including 1,518 locally acquired cases. After peaking at 3,040 new cases on February 19, Bac Ninh, a gateway to the Hanoi capital, saw a sharp fall in infection number, recording 2,360 during the past 24 hours.

Other northern localities that recorded between 1,000 and 2,000 cases each include Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong, Vinh Phuc, Ninh Binh, Bac Giang, Lao Cai, Hai Duong, Yen Bai, Thai Binh, and Son La. Elsewhere, infection increases were also seen in other localities in the central and southern regions, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

Ministry to cut Covid-19 test prices by 30 percent

The new ceiling price of Covid-19 tests will be up to 30 percent lower than the current one, according to the Ministry of Health’s recent circular effective from February 21. The circular, which replaces the previous one, stipulates prices for SARS-CoV-2 testing services performed by the State's medical facilities, including taking samples, preserving and testing the samples, and returning test results.

It applies to the payment of costs for SARS-CoV-2 testing in accordance with the law on health insurance; people who pay for the services themselves, and those whose costs are covered by the State budget in line with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, according to VNA.

Per the document, regarding SARS-CoV-2 Ag rapid test for a single sample, the price is not more than 78,000 VND (3.2 USD) per test, about 30 percent lower than the current 109,700 VND. For those using an automatic or semi-automatic immunoassay machine, the price is 178,900 VND per test at the maximum. Meanwhile, the ceiling price of each test for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR technique is 501,800 VND.

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

Localities suspend face-to-face learning amid Covid-19 fears

Due to the rapid transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the community, several localities have suspended face-to-face learning and resumed online learning. The administration of northern Vinh Phuc province has allowed primary and lower secondary schools to resume distance learning, starting on February 21, until further notice.

High schools are required to continue both physical and virtual learning. Virtual learning is applicable to all F0 and F1 cases and students suffering from underlying illnesses. The local administration has requested the health and education sectors to assess the development of the outbreak to decide on appropriate forms of learning to ensure the safety of students and to meet parents’ aspirations.

In the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, the Covid-19 outbreak is evolving in a complicated manner, The past three days saw Lao Cai record nearly 3,000 cases, including 1,315 cases in Lao Cai city of Lao Cai province. Currently, 15 communes and wards of Lao Cai city are red zones – the highest Covid-19 alert level.

The provincial administration has allowed all primary schools in Lao Cai city to suspend in-person learning and resume online learning until further notice.

In the capital city of Hanoi, the municipal administration has approved the education sector’s proposal to postpone face-to-face learning for first to sixth graders slated for February 21. Over the past weeks, Hanoi has topped localities nationwide in infection numbers, registering several thousands of new cases daily. On February 20 alone, its daily count surpassed the 5,000 case mark, hitting 5,102, according to statistics unveiled by the Ministry of Health.

A large number of parents have voted in favor of online learning given the current context of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Ministry of Education and Training reported that the number of teachers and students exposed to the virus has increased considerably in various localities after the lunar New Year holiday, reaching approximately 10,000 in Hai Phong, and nearly 2,500 in Thanh Hoa. Many educational institutions have offered both physical and online learning.

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