Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long chaired a meeting on Monday to discuss on a COVID-19 response strategy for 2022.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long (center) chairs a meeting to discuss
COVID-19 response strategy for 2022, Ha Noi, September 13, 2021

The participants, including leading scientists and health workers, will focus discussions on key issues like vaccine production, testing and treatment, and healthcare system preparedness capabilities.

Earlier, on September 11, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the ministry to finalize the overall strategy on COVID-19 pandemic prevention so Viet Nam could return to a 'new normalcy' next year.

He tasked the ministry to provide guidelines on easing restrictions and restoring activities based on the principle of "reopening step by step and under control.”

The ministry is asked to finalize the pandemic prevention strategy focusing on vaccines, testing and treatment. It must be proactive in preparing vaccine supply sources in 2022 and secure COVID-19 vaccine doses for children.

As of 7:10 pm on Sunday, Viet Nam reported 613,375 COVID-19 cases, including 374,578 recoveries and 15,279 fatalities.

Among the national caseload, 608,997 are domestic infections recorded in 62 cities and provinces since the fourth COVID-19 wave hit Viet Nam in late April.

The number of new cases between September 5-11 fell from that of the previous week, especially in Da Nang (down 60 percent), Binh Duong (down 27 percent), and Long An (down 3 percent), said minister Nguyen.

Meanwhile, the death rate also decreased by 30 percent on average, he added.

Eight out of 23 localities currently placed under social distancing have effectively managed the pandemic, namely Hau Giang, Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, Phu Yen, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and Ca Mau.

Twelve others, namely Can Tho, Long An, Tien Giang, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Ha Noi, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, An Giang, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are on the right track in the ongoing COVID-19 fight.

Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Kien Giang need to step up efforts to contain the pandemic, Nguyen said./.