Binh Duong is urgently completing a COVID-19 treatment hospital (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City accounted for the majority of domestic cases at 1,756, trailed by Binh Duong (281), Dong Nai (75), Long An (48), Tay Ninh (42), Ba Ria - Vung Tau (41), Vinh Long (38), Dong Thap (36), Tien Giang (31), Khanh Hoa (29), Ben Tre (17), Phu Yen (16), Can Tho (12), and Kien Giang (10).

Furthermore, single-digit cases of local transmission were reported in other localities, including Hanoi, Binh Dinh, Soc Trang, An Giang , Bac Ninh, Dak Nong, and Bac Giang.

Among the total figure, 2,226 community cases were detected within quarantine or lockdown areas.

Besides, the HCM City Center for Disease Control on July 18 morning registered to add a list of 626 coronavirus patients who had been previously detected in quarantine zones to the National System of COVID-19 Case Management.

Earlier the southern metropolis, the epicenter of the ongoing fourth coronavirus wave, recorded on July 17 a total 2,786 new domestic cases, the highest number in a day since the virus recurred in late April.

The southern region, particularly HCM City, is bearing the brunt in the most challenging coronavirus wave, with new cases soaring steadily in the thousands over the past few days.

During an online meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held on July 17, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam requested Ho Chi Minh City continue to tighten management to prevent cross-infection in quarantine and locked down zones.

Dam, who is also head of the committee, urged the city to intensify transport of newly-infectious cases to treatment facilities, especially those with worsening symptoms.
It is imperative to ensure the supply of essential goods and food to stabilize people's lives and encourage residents to strictly comply with social distancing measures, Dam emphasized.

Over 4.26 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to date, of which nearly 305,000 have received two shots. July 17 saw more than 27,350 people inoculated against COVID-19.

The country has so far seen 48,964 domestic infections and 2,038 imported ones. The number of infections since the latest wave of COVID-19 outbreaks increased to 47,394, including 7,538 having full recovered from the virus.

Source: VOV

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