Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (Feb. 23): Daily Count Hits All-time High of Nearly 56,000

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

Covid-19: Daily count hits all-time high of nearly 56,000 in Vietnam

The number of newly detected coronavirus infections in Vietnam rose by more than 9,000 to 55,879 on February 22, a record high so far, the Ministry of Health said in its coronavirus update at 6 pm. Of the total, 71% were diagnosed in the community, eight tested positive upon returning from overseas, and the remainder were detected in the lockdown or quarantine areas.

Like previous days, February 22 saw most of the cases reported in the north. Official data from the Ministry of Health show Hanoi capital topped localities in infection numbers, registering 6,860 new cases. This is also the highest figure the city has recorded in a single day.

Other northern localities that recorded between 1,000 and 3,000 cases each include Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Nam Dinh, Vinh Phuc, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Thai Nguyen, Son La, Hung Yen, Yen Bai, and Thai Binh.

On the same day, the Ministry of Health also announced an additional 10,412 recoveries and 77 more coronavirus-related deaths in localities across the country.

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

HCM City randomly conduct genome sequencing for Omicron variant

Ho Chi Minh City is randomly conducting genome sequencing of positive test samples for the emergence of the Omicron variant in the community, said an official of the municipal Department of Health. Most of the Omicron cases show mild symptoms, so genome sequencing is needed to see if the variant is present in the community, said the official, adding epidemiologists will pick up samples at hospitals and schools as well as severe and mild cases at random for the scheme, according to VOV.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Dung, from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, speculated that the current sharp increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, may not be caused by the Omicron mutation.

“If this increase results from the Delta mutation, people strictly adhere to the 5K practice, the number of infections is likely to decrease. On the contrary, if this increase is related to the Omicron variant, infection cases will tend to increase,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dung.

Besides the 5K practice, the health professional said accelerating the injection of the additional/booster jab will help people better protect themselves from virus infection. “While Omicron is still causing public concern globally, Vietnam cannot consider Covid-19 as an endemic disease,” he said.

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

Nearly 79 percent of students return to school

As of February 22 afternoon, 78.86 percent of total students across the country have resumed face-to-face learning, according to the Ministry of Education and Training. The ministry reported that pre-school children in 50 localities have been attending class in person, while their peers in 13 remaining localities, including Hanoi and Da Nang, are still staying home due to complicated Covid-19 developments.

Meanwhile, 52 cities and provinces have reopened primary schools and 59 have allowed junior high school students to return to school. At the same time, senior high schools students in 62 cities and provinces nationwide have resumed in-person classes, with the exception of the northern province of Lao Cai.

To help schools organize direct teaching and learning activities, the Ministry of Health has supplemented its guidelines on Covid-19 prevention and control at schools. Only students who show symptoms or have close contact with patients have to take tests before returning to school. Students are advised to keep a safe distance from their classmates as well as students in other classes, avoid sharing personal items and wash their hands frequently. Schools are also requested to disinfect canteens after each meal and ensure food safety for students.

Photo: Suc Khoe & Doi Song

Minimizing Covid-19 related deaths now top priority: MoH

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has demanded provinces and centrally-run cities nationwide press on with anti-Covid-19 measures amid a surge in new infections, stressing that minimizing deaths is currently the top priority. In an official dispatch sent to the chairpersons of the provincial-level People’s Committees, the MoH pointed out that the numbers of new infections and patients in critical condition have been on the rise recently, VNA reported.

It is forecast that virus transmission in the community is likely to continue in the time ahead given the gradual reopening of socio-economic activities, which will cause great pressure on the healthcare system. Healthcare establishments need to conduct comprehensive treatment, establish treatment levels for patients, and give the top priority to minimizing deaths, the MoH said, asking for sufficient medical supplies and increased home treatment and telemedicine.

Localities were also told to further accelerate vaccinations, guarantee the coverage of additional and booster doses for people aged 18 and above and primary doses for those aged 12 - 17, prepare ready resources for inoculating children aged 5 - 11 as soon as the MoH issues guidelines, and provide at-home vaccinations for those unable to reach vaccination sites.

Besides, provinces and cities should base on local pandemic levels to resume in-person learning, take appropriate response measures when recording new infections in schools, and ensure pandemic safety for students. The MoH also reminded localities to step up communications to raise public awareness, improve the capacity of the healthcare system, especially at the grassroots level, and strictly deal with violations of anti-pandemic rules.

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