The COVID-19 situation in 12 out of 13 cities and provinces has been basically controlled the COVID-19 situation, said the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. 

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chairs a meeting of the National Steering Committee
for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Ha Noi, February 19, 2021. Photo: VGP

As of 6:05pm on Friday, Viet Nam confirmed 2,362 COVID-19 patients, including 770 cases recorded in 13 cities and provinces since January 27, with Hai Duong being the hardest-hit locality (590 cases).

All 12 districts and cities in Hai Duong have identified COVID-19 cases, in which Chi Linh City, Cam Giang District, Kinh Mon Town, Nam Sach District, and Hai Duong City are the biggest clusters.

Among the above clusters, the COVID-19 situation in Cam Giang remains complicated as source of transmissions has not been identified, according to the Ministry of Health.

Hai Duong quickly placed Cam Giang District under lockdown and then imposed 15-day social distancing in the entire locality since February 16 in a brave move to extinguish the outbreaks and ensure safety for the whole country, said Dr. Tran Dac Phu, senior advisor at the Public Health Emergency Operations Center under the Health Ministry.

Thanks to its drastic measures, the number of new cases started to fall over the past days in the northern province, with 95% of them are F1 individuals who have been quarantined./.