Vietnam recorded a total of 11,692 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours across 34 provinces and cities, whilst also discharging more than 11,000 patients from medical facilities, the Health Ministry reported on September 21.
Ho Chi Minh City led the way with 6,521 new cases, followed by Binh Duong with 3,609, and Dong Nai with 590.
Hanoi recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases, including eight infections in quarantine sites and two cases in areas currently under lockdown.
Between April 27 and September 21 the capital recorded a total of 4,203 positive cases of SARS-CoV-2, of which 1,311 were found within the community.
The daily infection tally pushes the case total during the ongoing wave which first emerged in late April to 704,584.
Furthermore, a total of 240 deaths were documented throughout the day to take the death toll up to 17,545, or 2.5% of the national caseload.
The same day saw the Health Ministry also announce the discharge of an additional 11,017 patients to send the total number of recovered people to 475,343.
The country’s infection numbers since the pandemic initially broke out now stands at 707,436, ranking 47th of 222 countries and territories globally.
Moreover, over 35 million people have now been vaccinated with at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, with over 6.7 million people now fully vaccinated nationwide.
Ho Chi Minh City, epicentre of the fourth COVID-19 wave which hit the country in late April, eased some social distancing rules that had been in place for weeks starting from September 16. This includes the resumption of business and production activities at industrial parks in District 7, along with Cu Chi and Can Tho, areas which are considered to be at low risk.
Meanwhile, the administration of Hanoi permitted the reopening of some services in the capital starting from 6 a.m. on September 21
Municipal authorities have set three targets in the near future, with top priority being given to ensuring public health and safety for the entire city as a whole. This is in addition to exerting efforts to bring the pandemic under control and fully vaccinate people who are eligible. Measures will therefore be adjusted in accordance with developments of the pandemic to guarantee social welfare and business activities.
Activities in quarantine sites, sealed-off and high-risk areas will also be regulated in a flexible manner in tandem with the ongoing situation.
Local residents have also been asked to adhere to the Ministry of Health’s 5K principle.