More than 16,800 new infections detected nationwide on Jan.18

The Ministry of Health confirmed the detection of 16,838 positive COVID-19 cases in 63 cities and provinces across the nation on January 18, thereby raising the total during the current wave tally to over two million.

The three localities with the highest numbers of local cases include Hanoi with 2,935, Hai Phong with 1,139, and Da Nang with 943 cases.

The Health Ministry also confirmed 184 COVID-19-related fatalities on the same day, thereby taking the nation's death toll to 35,972, or around 1.7% of all infections.

At present, the country has recorded 79 cases infected with the Omicron variant, all of which were imported. So far, 1,756,154 domestic COVID-19 patients have recovered following the discharge of a further 8,692 COVID-19 patients.

Around 72.6 million people have received their second vaccine shot, while more than 18 million have received their third.

With continued concerns about the Omicron variant, Ho Chi Minh City is intensifying actions to bring COVID-19 under control as the Lunar New Year holiday, the country’s biggest traditional festival, draws near.

In order to enter the country, people currently have to show a negative RT-PCR test result for SARS-CoV-2 within 72 hours prior to their arrival, along with a negative rapid test result before and after their flights.

In addition to these measures, the city’s centre for disease control will conduct screening tests in areas which have many people from aboard or which have recorded a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases, whilst pushing ahead with other measures instructed by the Ministry of Health.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City steering committee for the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery, the daily numbers of hospitalised cases and fatalities has continued to gradually drop in recent times.