Nearly 5,000 new cases were recorded in Vietnam. (Photo: Baoquocte)

Nearly 5,000 new cases were recorded in Vietnam

Vietnam has confirmed 4,806 coronavirus cases in 42 cities and provinces across the country during the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said in its 6 pm coronavirus update on Oct. 8. As many as 2,451 cases were detected in the community through random testing and test screening, 11 returnees from overseas tested positive, and the rest were documented in lockdown or quarantine areas.

Ho Chi Minh City remains the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam as it recorded 2,215 new cases, up to 485 cases compared to the previous day. Meanwhile, Binh Duong and Dong Nai that is home to clusters of industrial parks in the south announced 828 and 612 new cases respectively.

In the north, Ha Nam is the largest coronavirus hotspot, documenting 44 more cases, thus raising its tally of infections to nearly 600. Except for Ha Nam, other northern provinces are well controlling the Covid-19 outbreak, with several cases sporadically detected in Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Son La, Phu Tho, and Yen Bai.

Vietnam receives 603,380 more Pfizer vaccine doses from US (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam receives 603,380 more Pfizer vaccine doses from US

Another shipment of 603,380 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine donated by the United States just landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on Oct. 8 evening. The latest shipment raised the total number of Covid-19 vaccines the Biden administration has donated Vietnam to more than 9.1 million doses, according to the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

The past 24 hours also saw the US deliver nearly 609,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Ho Chi Minh City and another 397,800 doses of the same vaccine to Hanoi.

On Oct. 2 the US announced a rollout of 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and a hand-over ceremony was held in Hanoi two days later. Besides vaccine donations, the US has pledged a grant worth US$26.7 million to help Vietnam respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pilot resumption of domestic flights to take off tomorrow (Photo: VOV)

Pilot resumption of domestic flights to take off tomorrow

The government has approved a pilot reopening of several domestic air routes starting Oct. 10 with further adjustments being made later. From Oct. 10-20, there will be 23 return flights every day, 10 of them from HCMC to other localities, six from Hanoi, four from Da Nang, and three from Thanh Hoa, according to the domestic flight resumption plan presented by Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Transport, at an online meeting Friday.

Passengers can take the flights if they are fully vaccinated with the last dose administered at least two weeks before the flight; or if they are Covid-19 patients who have recovered at least six months prior. All passengers are also required to take Covid-19 tests 72 hours before their flights with negative results. When moving from the airport to their accommodation and during their stay, passengers have to strictly follow Covid-19 prevention guidelines.

The Hanoi People's Committee has proposed a seven-day quarantine for passengers after they return at the city's quarantine centers or at designated hotels. Aviation authorities had in late August asked carriers to stop selling tickets for domestic flights until further notice. Cargo flights and those carrying coronavirus frontline forces have remained functional. During the fourth coronavirus wave that began in late April, the country has recorded over 827,000 infections.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (October 8): Daily Tally Reaches 4,150 Across 43 Localities With 826,837 cases found so far, the nation ranks 43rd out of 223 countries and territories globally. 10 out of 62 cities and provinces nationwide ...

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (October 7): HCM City Assists Foreigners In Difficulties About 48.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered so far, with more than 12.2 million people getting their second dose.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (October 6): Vietnam To Use Sputnik V Vaccine This Week Twelve out of 62 cities and provinces have gone through 14 days without new infections, including Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh, Yen ...