Of the newly detected cases, 4,947 were locally acquired and two were diagnosed upon returning from overseas, the MoH said in its 06.00pm coronavirus update on August 8.

About 2,155 cases were documented in the community through random testing or test screening at healthcare facilities, while the rest tested positive in quarantine or lockdown areas.

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, took the lead in infection numbers, registering 2,002. It was followed by Binh Duong, an industrial hub and a gateway to HCM City, that recorded 1,733 new cases.

Elsewhere, Dong Nai reported 224 new cases, Can Tho 71, Tra Vinh 67, Binh THuan 46, Dong Thap 44 and Ben Tre 20, all in the south.

The fresh coronavirus outbreak remains complicated in the central region as Khanh Hoa registered 201 new cases, followed by Da Nang 68, Ninh Thuan 62, Dak Lak 41, Phu Yen 29 and Lam Dong 21.

Hanoi capital, which is implementing extended social distancing measures, documented a further 51 cases.

New cases were also sporadically reported in Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai, Binh Phuoc, Gia Lai, Hai Duong, Phu Tho, Thai Binh, Hung Yen and Thanh Hoa.

Overall, Vietnam has confirmed 9,690 new cases during the past 24 hours, with HCM City recording 3,898 cases and Binh Duong 2,328.

Data from the Ministry of Health (MoH) show as of 06.00 pm on August 8 Vietnam has documented 206,490 new locally transmitted cases following virus resurgence in late April and 210,405 cases since the start of the first outbreak in January 2020.

The same day, the MoH announced 147 more COVID-19 deaths in six cities and provinces. HCM City confirmed 108 cases, while Binh Duong reported 30 cases.

Source: VOV

HBA proposes setting up field hospitals in industrial parks

The HCMC Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association (HBA) has proposed the HCMC government and relevant agencies establish field hospitals at industrial parks (IP)