COVID-19: Daily tally exceeds 10,000 with nearly half in community

The Ministry of Health announced an additional 10,223 new COVID-19 infections on November 18 across 60 provinces and cities nationwide, an increase of 370 cases from the previous day.

As of November 18, a total of 103,573,065 vaccine doses have now been administered across the country. Over 37.8 million people are now fully inoculated, whilst more than 65.7 million people have received one dose of the vaccine.

The nation’s total caseload currently stands at 1,065,469, of which 1,062,617 cases are the result of the fourth wave of infections which swept the country since late April.

Ho Chi Minh City accounted for the majority of infections with 1,609, followed by Tay Ninh province with 632, and Dong Nai with 563.

Elsewhere, Hanoi reported 202 new cases, with many infections being found among the local community.

The Ministry also confirmed 139 COVID-19 fatalities over the past 24 hours, including 42 in Ho Chi Minh City and 22 in Binh Duong.

The nation’s death toll from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 23,476, accounting for 2.2% of the total number of infections.

Vietnam currently ranks 34th out of 223 countries and territories in terms of case numbers. In terms of infections per one million people, the nation was placed 133rd.

A total of 6,723 patients were released from hospital on November 18 to raise the total number recoveries to 881,593.

Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City has allowed venues such as bars, cinemas and massage parlors to resume full operation in certain areas, while ride-hailing services can operate at half their capacity from November 16.

"Non-essential" businesses, including nightclubs, spas, and karaoke parlors, can fully reopen if they are in low-risk areas.

For areas at medium risk, they can operate at half capacity and in high-risk areas, they must keep their operational scale at 25% of their full capacity, according to the decision. The risk level is determined based on an area's vaccination rate and the number of infections in relation to the population.

All staff at these establishments must be fully vaccinated with two doses, or have recovered from COVID-19 within six months.

Customers and participants can use services under the same conditions, or have a negative result from tests done within the last 72 hours.