More than 13,690 new COVID-19 cases added to national tally

The Health Ministry confirmed a further 13,698 new COVID-19 cases across 60 localities on December 2, marking a fall of 829 cases from the previous day.

The three localities recording the highest number of new infections were Ho Chi Minh City with 1,738 cases, Can Tho with 985, and Dong Thap with 606.

Hanoi capital recorded a total of 409 cases, with the majority being detected among the community.

Of the daily total, 7,538 cases were detected among the local community.

Health authorities also confirmed that 13,258 recoveries over the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total tally for recovered cases up to 1,005,310.

The COVID-19 death toll nationwide also rose to 25,658 following the confirmation of a further 210 deaths.

The average daily number of new cases in the country over the past seven days now stands at 13,568, while the death rate has been at a daily average of 179.

Over 125.1 million people have now been inoculated against the virus, with more than 52.7 million people now having received two doses of the virus.

Elsewhere, Ho Chi Minh City is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 deaths, with the number between 60 to 70 daily deaths last week, almost triple the figure recorded a month earlier.

The rate is particularly high among people over the age of 50 or with underlying health conditions.

Amid the increasing cases and hospitalisations, the department of health will continue its strategy of treating patients with mild symptoms at home, with only serious cases to being admitted hospitals.

Doctors have been recommending that local people get vaccinated, follow precautions, and not be complacent. People who are unable to be vaccinated and seniors suffering from underlying issues, including obesity, are advised not to travel or go to crowded places, whilst keeping their underlying conditions under control.