A medical staff holds a Covid-19 vaccine container in Hanoi, September 11, 2021. Photo: VnExpress

Vietnam confirms 10,583 new Covid-19 cases

Health authorities confirmed 10,583 new Covid-19 cases Wednesday, down 87 from Tuesday.

Ho Chi Minh City led with 5,301 new cases, followed by Binh Duong (3,228) and Dong Nai (808).

The country has recorded 641,244 cases in the fourth Covid-19 wave.

250 deaths were recorded Wednesday, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 16,186.

In the last seven days 261 deaths were recorded each day, cited VnExpress.

14,189 patients were discharged, bringing the total to 412,650.

The country has vaccinated 25.6 percent of the population, in which 5.8 percent have received two doses.

Starting 12 p.m. Thursday, Hanoi will ease restrictions on some businesses and allow takeaway services from eateries and coffee shops in 22 districts.

Vietnam, Qatar hold great cooperation potential

Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu and Secretary-General of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi shared their view that the two countries have great potential for cooperation, during their online talks on September 15.

Hieu noted with pleasure the active development of cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Qatar over the past time, especially in politics and economy.

The two sides have exchanged all-level delegations, while actively supporting each other at multilateral forums, the official further explained.

Despite difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, their two-way trade still expanded from US$313 million in 2019 to US$550 million last year, he added.

Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu. Photo: VNA

Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi, for his part, lauded achievements Vietnam has recorded in politics, foreign affairs and socio-economic development, and emphasized that Qatar always attaches importance to boosting multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam.

The two sides compared notes on measures to consolidate and enhance the bilateral cooperation in the time ahead, with attention to be paid to online exchanges between leaders of ministries and agencies.

They will continue their close coordination at international forums and organizations, and maintain existing cooperation mechanisms regularly and effectively, according to VNA.

Both stressed the significance of coordination in organizing online trade and investment promotion activities, and speeding up negotiations and signing of cooperation agreements to complete the legal framework for bilateral collaboration.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in the pandemic fight. Vietnam called on Qatar to help the country with access to Covid-19 vaccine sources and other medical supplies.

The officials also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern.

Hanoi to allow takeaways, shops to reopen in safe districts

Hanoi districts without new Covid-19 community transmission cases since September 6 will be allowed to reopen food and beverage establishments and other businesses from Thursday noon.

According to a decision issued by municipal Chairman Chu Ngoc Anh Wednesday, districts that have not recorded any coronavirus community transmission since September 6 would be allowed to reopen food and beverage places.

However, only takeaways are allowed and they must be closed before 9 p.m.

A shop sells a takeaway meal in Hanoi's Gia Lam District. Photo: VnExpress

Shops that sell office supplies, books and other study materials, garages that repair vehicles and electronic poducts shops are also allowed to reopen, VnExpress reported.

The 22 districts that meet the requirement for the reopening are Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Nam Tu Liem, Bac Tu Liem, Long Bien, Hoai Duc, Thanh Oai, Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Soc Son, Me Linh, Ba Vi, Son Tay, Phuc Tho, Dan Phuong, Thach That, Quoc Oai, Chuong My, Ung Hoa, My Duc and Phu Xuyen.

All businesses and services must abide by coronavirus control measures like wearing masks and keeping distance, and make medical declarations. All customers must present QR codes when shopping.

Officials have been asked to evaluate the results of social distancing orders to propose a plan for coronavirus prevention and economic recovery after September 21.

Hanoi aims to vaccinate all its adult population with at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot by September 15. So far, 5 million shots have been given, meeting 86 percent of the original goal.

The capital has recorded 3,856 local Covid-19 cases since the fourth wave hit Vietnam in late April.

Hanoi vaccinates foreigners against Covid-19 from September 15

The Hanoi administration conducted a large-scale vaccination campaign against Covid-19 for foreigners living, studying, and working in the capital from September 15.

The inoculation site is located at the My Dinh National Stadium in Nam Tu Liem district, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Expats have their blood pressure measured, as well as their body temperature, and health checked prior to injection. This is in addition to being given a medical consultation.

Approximately 4,000 foreigners are expected to get vaccinated against the Covid-19 pandemic on September 15 and September 16, with the event being one of the key goals of municipal authorities as they seek to inject all foreign citizens during the community vaccination stages.

Over recent days the capital has ramped up its vaccination campaign, with a total of 5,386,280 doses being administered. At present, 89.5% of people aged 18 and above have now received their first Covid-19 injection.

Volunteers get second Covivac vaccine shots in second trial phase

Volunteers in the second phase of the clinical trials of homegrown Covivac Covid-19 vaccine got their second shots on September 15.

More than 50 volunteers received the jabs in the morning, and the number is expected to reach about 80 on the day, according to Associate Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thiem, Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE)’s clinical trial centre.

The second phase, to last until September 20, is held in Vu Thu district, the northern province of Thai Binh. It saw the participation of 374 volunteers who have been chosen and classified into three groups for the 3 mcg and 6 mcg dosages and a dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, cited NDO.

The second phase, to last until September 20, is held in Vu Thu district, the northern province of Thai Binh. Photo: VNA

Covivac has been developed and produced by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC). It is the second homegrown vaccine approved by the Ministry of Health for clinical trials, after Nano Covax.

Dr. Duong Huu Thai, IVAC Director, said the third phase of the human trials is expected to begin in December after the safety and immunogenicity in the second phase are confirmed.

The third phase would be conducted on more than 4,000 volunteers in Khanh Hoa, Bac Ninh and Thai Binh provinces.

Nguyen Ngo Quang, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training under the Ministry of Health, said at least a homegrown vaccine will be licensed for circulation by the end of this year.

For Nano Covax, Quang said the producer and researchers on September 14 submitted the supplemented dossier on the vaccine and completed registration procedures.

Regarding the clinical trials of ARCT-154, a mRNA vaccine developed by US company Arcturus Therapeutics, he said the health ministry has approved the implementation of the second and third trial phases.

Vietnam News Today (September 15): HCM City Pilots 'Covid Green Cards' to Control Residents’ Travel Vietnam News Today (September 15): Vietnam's Covid infection tally rises by 10,496; Vietnam to have at least one homegrown Covid-19 vaccine by year-end; HCM City ...

Vietnam News Today (September 14): Ho Chi Minh City to Continue Applying Directive 16 after September 15 Vietnam News Today (September 14): Vietnam confirms 11,168 new Covid-19 cases; Ho Chi Minh City to continue applying Directive 16 after September 15; Central localities ...

Vietnam News Today (September 13): Khanh Hoa to Welcome Back Foreign Tourist with Covid-19 Vaccine Passport Vietnam News Today (September 13): Vietnam records another 12,017 local Covid cases; Vietnam to purchase Spain’s HIPRA Covid-19 vaccine; Storm Conson downgraded quickly, ravages central ...