Photo: Nghe An Television

Covid daily caseload rises to 10,011 over 24 hours

Vietnam has recorded 10,011 coronavirus cases in 5 localities from 6 pm on September 25 to 6 pm on September 26, an increase of 329 cases compared to the previous day, the Ministry of Health said in its coronavirus update. Of the new infections, 5,313 cases were detected in the community through test screening or random testing, and the rest were documented in quarantine or lockdown areas.

Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest coronavirus hotspot, recorded 5,121 cases, up by 1,075 cases compared to the previous day. It was followed by Binh Duong, another coronavirus hotspot in the south that reporting 3,332 new cases, down by 297 cases, and Dong Nai with 746 cases, down by 250 cases. Dak Lak province topped central localities in infection numbers, registering 49 cases. Notably, the newly-detected outbreak remains complicated in the northern province of Ha Nam that reported 49 new cases.

The past 24 hours saw Vietnam confirm 184 Covid-19 fatalities, with HCM City and Binh Duong reporting 131 and 26 cases, respectively.

Photo: Thanh Nien

UNICEF speaks highly of Vietnam’s priority to Covid-19 orphans

The UNICEF Hanoi on September 26 released a press communique saying that its head Rana Flowers has expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs’ recent issuance of guidance asking localities to prioritize the care for children orphaned by the Covid-19.

In the communique, the official affirmed her organization, together with the Vietnamese government and people, expressed deep concerns and hoped to support the more than 1,500 children in Ho Chi Minh City who lost their parents to the pandemic. According to her, it is important above all to quickly find a family environment for them. That is why UNICEF highly valued a document by the ministry on September 23 to localities on taking timely measures to care for this group of children.

The official described the decision as timely in ensuring that the orphans will receive the necessary support to overcome this time full of difficulties and challenges. In her opinion, the government should develop a system to protect them. To prepare against and cope with this crisis in both the short and long term, it is important that the government provide practical and necessary sentimental and financial supports for the relatives that take care of the orphans.

Photo: VOV

Vietnam considers mutual recognition of vaccine passport with countries

Vietnam will consider mutual recognition of a vaccine passport with other countries in Southeast Asia, the European Union, as well as with the United States, China the Republic of Korea, and others. The Government Office made an announcement on September 25 conveying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s direction on mutual recognition of the ‘vaccine passport’ between Vietnam and other countries. According to the Government Office, a number of countries worldwide have applied for the ‘vaccine passport’ to re-open their economies and bring socio-economic activities back to a new normal.

The mutual recognition of a ‘vaccine passport’ between Vietnam and other countries in the region and the rest of the world “is very important and especially necessary in the current context,” said the PM in his direction. The PM, therefore, assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries and agencies, to urgently work alongside relevant agencies of ASEAN countries, the EU, the US, China, Japan, the RoK, and other countries, for the mutual recognition of the ‘vaccine passport’.

Vietnam has successfully conducted four pilot flights to bring home passengers with a vaccine passport. All the passengers were required to be fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test at least 72 hours before their departure. They were then taken to concentrated quarantine facilities for a course of 7 days as opposed to 14 days as previously. All the passengers are now in stable health condition.

Photo: Baoquocte

Hotels become quarantine facilities to survive Covid

Some 10 percent of hotels in big cities are used exclusively for quarantining Covid-19 patients and those who were in close contact with patients, according to Savills. They include 25 in Ho Chi Minh City with more than 3,000 rooms, mostly in Districts 1 and Tan Binh, 20 with 1,600 rooms in Hanoi, and 34 with 3,000 rooms in Da Nang.

The fourth wave of the Covid pandemic led to the lowest occupancy rates in a decade and a drop in room rents. Average occupancy rates at 3-5-star hotels in Hanoi regularly topped 74 percent in the decade before the pandemic.

In 2020, it fell to 30 percent, and the average room rent to US$81 from US$113. In the first half of this year, they declined further to 25 percent and US$72. In Ho Chi Minh City, the rate this year has been only 18 percent due to stringent social distancing regulations, and the rent fell to US$69. The switch as medical isolation areas has thrown all of them a lifeline, according to VN Express.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (September 26): Vietnam To Ease Social Distancing By September 30 As of 6 pm on September 25, Vietnam has recorded 746,678 coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak in January 2020.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (September 25): Vietnam Successfully Produces Sputnik V Vaccine As of 6 pm on September 24, Vietnam has recorded 736,972 Covid cases since the start of the outbreak in January 2020, and 732,492 locally ...

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (September 24): Van Don Welcomes Passengers With Vaccine Passports As of the end of September 22, over 36.15 million doses of vaccine were given to people so far, including more than 29 million first ...