The two new cases had close contact with COVID-19 patients in Hai Duong province, the country's epidemic epicenter at present, according to the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

They include a 40-year-old woman in Nam Tu Liem district and a 48-year-old woman in Cau Giay district. They are being treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No.2.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Vietnam reached 1,819 by 6am, February 1, including 993 locally-transmitted cases. Meanwhile, 1,457 cases have been given the all-clear. The death toll remains at 35. 

Among those still under treatment, nine have tested negative for the novel coronavirus once, four twice, and three thrice. 

A total of 26,861 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-affected areas are under quarantine across the country. 

Vietnam has recorded a total of 240 locally transmitted cases since the virus recurred in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh on January 27, 2021, including 188 cases in Hai Duong, 25 in Quang Ninh, 15 in Hanoi, 3 in Bac Ninh, 2 in Hoa Binh, 4 in Gia Lai and one in Hai Phong, Binh Duong, and HCM City.  

Hanoi has so far registered 15 infections closely linked to the ongoing coronavirus hotspots in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces.

Local authorities warned more new community cases would be detected in the coming days as confirmed cases have complicated travel history. They called on local residents coming from Hai Duong and Quang Ninh to immediately make health declarations and self-quarantine at home for 14 days.   

The municipal administration has moved to ban bar, dancing and U-sing along (karaoke) services as of February 1.

The fresh outbreak has so far spread to nine cities and provinces in Vietnam, namely Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hoa Binh, Gia Lai, HCM City and Binh Duong.

Hai Duong and Quang Ninh are the country’s current biggest coronavirus hotspots as the number of new infections make up most of the new infections. Yet, the Ministry of Health says the situation in the two hotspots are being kept in check as new infections are falling in numbers these days.

Elsewhere, Hai Phong port city has worked on a plan to set up three field hospitals in the locality in case new infections are recorded in large numbers. Currently, the city has registered one case at its children’s hospital.

Other localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Bac Ninh, and Hoa Binh have been stepping up contact tracing to early detect and quarantine those who came into contact with confirmed coronavirus cases.

Thuy Hanh

Thirty six new COVID-19 cases recorded on Sunday evening

Thirty six new COVID-19 cases were reported in Vietnamon Sunday evening, including 17 community infections.