The meeting aims to discuss ways to curb the rapid surge of COVID-19 infections in these localities.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the pandemic has been controlled well in Ha Noi.

In Bac Giang and Bac Ninh, the situation has been basically put under control while local authorities of Hung yen, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Da Nang have been quick in containing COVID-19 outbreaks.

Meanwhile, the pandemic is evolving rapidly and complicatedly in Ho Chi Minh City and its adjacent provinces, with more community infection cases expected in coming days, said Nguyen.

He urged these localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, to give the highest priority to the fight against the pandemic, accelerate screening tests.

Given the situation, PM Pham assigned Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam to directly oversee pandemic prevention work in Ho Chi Minh City.

He urged these localities to take prompt and more effective actions or not the situation would be out of control.

Viet Nam recorded 16,094 domestic cases of COVID-19 in 53 out out 63 cities and provinces since April 27, 2021 when the fourth COVID-19 wave began.

Ho Chi Minh City is the current biggest hotspot with 5,865 community infection cases./.