Photo: VNE

Covid-19: Additional 12,170 new infections detected over 24 hour period

The Ministry of Health reported the discovery of an additional 12,170 new cases of Covid-19 on February 5, marking an increase of 574 in comparison to a day earlier. A further 114 casualties were also reported over the past 24 hours to raise the country’s death toll to 38,261, or around 1.6% of all infections.

The three localities recording the highest number of cases include Hanoi with 2,778 infections, Da Nang with 783 cases, and the northern province of Nam Dinh with 541 cases.

Furthermore, 3,457 Covid-19 patients were declared free from the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the same day to bring the total number of recovered cases up to 2,105,913.

Photo: VNE

Vietnam purchases 21.9 million Pfizer doses for children aged 5-11

The Government has agreed to purchase 21.9 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 for children aged 5-11, according to a Government resolution released recently. The Government approved the contractor selection in special cases specified in Article 26 of the Bidding Law for the purchase of the vaccines.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) will be responsible for organizing the purchase and deployment of Pfizer vaccination for the children in a scientific, safe, and effective manner. The MoH is currently working with suppliers to ensure that it will acquire enough vaccines for the children as soon as possible.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the MoH has consulted the World Health Organisation and learned from foreign experience concerning vaccination for children from 5 to under 12 years old.

Currently, nearly 40 countries worldwide have planned or implemented vaccination for these children. The World Health Organisation has officially approved recommendations for the Pfizer vaccine for children of this age group. The vaccination campaign for these children will be carried out cautiously and voluntarily with top priority to be given to safety, said Dr. Long. To date more than 182 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Vietnam, including over 74 million second doses and nearly 29 million third doses.

Photo: Zing

Grade 1-6 students to return to school in suburban Hanoi

Hanoi People's Committee decided Saturday students of grades 1 to 6 across 18 suburban districts will resume in-person classes starting Feb. 10. Accordingly, except for areas with "high" or "very high" Covid risks, students from grades 1 to 6 in 18 suburban districts will begin in-person classes next Thursday. Students of grades 1 to 6 in 12 central districts will continue to study online, and preschool children will stay home.

Tran The Cuong, director of Hanoi's Department of Education and Training, said he wants parents and students to support schools by seriously following Covid prevention measures to ensure student safety.

According to the latest Covid risk evaluation, Hanoi now has nine communes and wards deemed at a "high" risk level, while the rest are considered at "low" or "medium" risk. Schools must meet safety standards approved by the municipal Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health to welcome back students. Only teachers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can lead in-person classes.

The city requires schools not to conduct day-boarding services or open canteens and only teach one session (morning or afternoon) per day. If a Covid patient is detected, schools should proactively handle the situation. The district-level Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control would be responsible for assessing and deciding whether to continue in-person learning or not.

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