The Ministry of Health reported that on December 19 only, 60 provinces and cities confirmed 16,093 new infections, marking the second highest sing-day count (after December 11 with 16,104 cases) since Viet Nam shifted to ‘new normalcy’ on late September.

Localities are put under heavy pressure in terms of new domestic infections and prevention of new variant Omicron.

Over the past weeks, about ten provinces and cities in Viet Nam reported over 500 new infections each. 

The Ha Noi Center of Disease Control announced that on December 19, the city confirmed 1,400 new cases including 500 community infections and 900 others in quarantine camps, making it the locality with the highest number of infections.  The city witnessed 6,468 new infections over the past seven day. On average, out of 1000,000 residents, 80 positive cases were reported.

In HCMC, 7,428 new cases were detected over the past week. On average, the city houses about 81 infections out of 100,000 residents.

The two metropolises are witnessing a similar rate of infections. However, the number of newly infected cases in Ha Noi is on sharp rise. Both Ha Noi and HCMC have proactively conducted preventive measures and strengthen medical system and vaccination rollout for vulnerable people.

The seaport city of Hai Phong has recorded hundreds of new infections especially 417 cases on December 19.

The central city of Da Nang confirmed 143 new infections on December 19 and permitted home treatment for COVID-19 patients.

The Ministry of Health reported that nearly 7,600 critically ill patients are being warded at hospitals./.