8,758 new COVID-19 cases raise infection tally in fourth wave rise to 776,546

The Health Ministry announced a total of 8,758 new COVID-19 cases across 33 localities nationwide on September 29, an increase of 4,161 cases from the previous day, thereby raising the infection tally during the current fourth wave to 776,546.

Ho Chi Minh City, the currently the country’s largest pandemic hotspot, reported the highest number of infections with 4,699 cases, followed by neighbouring Binh Duong province with 2,389, Dong Nai with 899, and Long An with 131. Elsewhere, Hanoi reported four positive cases in areas under lockdown.

The localities that saw the highest drop in case numbers compared to the previous day include Binh Duong, which fell by 186, An Giang by 130, and Tay Ninh by 32.

HCM City, Dong Nai and Soc Trang registered the highest number of infections compared to the previous day with 4,322, 112, and 112, respectively.

To date, the country has documented a total of 779,398 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic initially hit late last year.

Furthermore, a total of 23,568 patients were declared to be free from the SARS-CoV-2 virus to take the overall number of recoveries to 583,509.

The COVID-19 death toll nationwide also climbed to more than 19,000 following the confirmation of a further 162 deaths over the past 24 hours.

The national death rate over the past week has stood at an average of 188 a day.

On September 28, a total of 1,097,044 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were injected to elevate the total number of inoculations to over 41.1 million.

After four months of social distancing at various levels, Ho Chi Minh City plans a gradual easing of restrictions starting from October 1, with this set to occur gradually and being dependent on the pandemic situation.

Activities and businesses that continue to be suspended include bars, spas, karaoke and massage parlors, beauty care services, on-site catering services, cinemas, and nightclubs. This is in addition to video games, events, cultural, artistic, and religious events, along with launching ceremonies, unless permitted by competent agencies, and street vendors, including lottery ticket vendors.

Residents permitted to go out from October 1 will be those who have got at least COVID-19 vaccine shot and those who have recovered from COVID-19 in the previous six months.

In the ongoing COVID-19 wave, the southern metropolis has recorded over 384,000 infections, accounting for almost half of the national tally, whilst also spending more than three months enforcing various levels of social distancing regulations.