COVID-19 tally in new wave crosses 200,000, with 5,155 cases recorded

The Health Ministry reported the discovery of additional 5,140 new local COVID-19 cases and 15 imported infections on August 8 morning, raising the coronavirus infection tally in the new pandemic wave to 215,560.

Of the morning's tally, HCM City’s count at 2,349 was followed by Binh Duong (1,725), Long An (287), Dong Nai (183), Ba Ria - Vung Tau (177), and Tay Ninh (157), while the remaining local cases were found in other 16 localities.

Of the new cases, 786 were detected in the community and the rest in quarantine facilities or areas currently under lockdown.

With the latest additions, Vietnam has so far documented a total of 2,360 imported, and 213,200 domestic cases. As many as 211,630 were logged in the ongoing pandemic wave that hit the nation more than three months ago, including 68,723 having recovered from the disease.

One day earlier, the nation recorded 9,684 new local COVID-19 cases, the highest number on a single day to date, followed by July 24 with 9,225.

HCM City, the coronavirus hotspot of the ongoing wave, continues to take the top spot in the caseload during the latest wave with more than 121,000 cases, trailed by neighour Binh Duong with over 27,600.

Meanwhile Hanoi capital continues to see more positive cases detected among the community despite a number of coronavirus clusters being put under control.

Amid complicated developments of the pandemic, Hanoi authorities have decided to extend coronavirus restrictions until August 23 as the capital continues to detect clusters of infections or F0 cases with unidentified sources in the community.

The city reported a total of 114 new cases on August 8 and has recorded more than 2,000 cases so far since the pandemic began, according to the Ministry of Health.

Regarding vaccination rollout, the country has vaccinated more than 9.4 million people, including over 945,000 who have been fully inoculated.

In another move, the Ministry of Health has started to distribute around 10,000 vials of Remdesivir to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces to treat severe COVID-19 patients.

Remdesivir had been adopted for emergency use in India for the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients who rely on mechanical ventilation or ECMO support.

The first batch of the drug arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City on August 5, and an additional 100,000 vials are set to be delivered to Vietnam next week.

Vingroup, Vietnam's largest conglomerate, had negotiated successfully for 500,000 vials of Remdesivir from Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla under licensing agreement from US-based Gilead Sciences.