The Ministry of Health posted no new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases on the morning of February 25, keeping the national tally at 2,412, while the total recoveries reached a total of 1,804 after a further 14 coronavirus patients were declared free from the virus.

Hai Duong, the biggest coronavirus epicenter of the nation, has to date recorded a total of 636 local transmission, trailed by its neighbor Quang Ninh with 61.

Of the total figure, as many as 820 domestic cases have been detected since January 27 when a new COVID-19 wave broke out.

According to Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long the COVID-19 pandemic has now been put under control in the country, with many of 13 pandemic-hit localities reporting no fresh community cases over the past days.

However, the Health Minister urged localities to continue strict complying with anti-pandemic measures, and paying greater attention to monitoring medical facilities and patients showing symptoms such as a fever and a cough as well as foreign experts and people entering the country from abroad.

Hanoi and HCM City- the country’s two major cities- will consider easing restrictions on non-essential services in the time ahead as they have recorded no new coronavirus cases in recent times.

Additionally, Ho Chi Minh City is poised to allow the reopening of schools as from March 1, according to the municipal People’s Committee.

One day earlier, the first batch of 117,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City. With the delivery, Vietnam has become one of the first nations in Asia to have access to a prestigious COVID-19 vaccine in the world.

By February 25 morning, the national infection count stands at 2,412, with 1,513 local infections, and 899 imported cases.