On June 9, Vietnam recorded 381 infections, including three fourth detected in Bac Giang epicenter.

The daily figures drove up the number of confirmed cases in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to 501, the third highest nationwide behind Bac Giang and Bac Ninh.

The newest cases have lifted the country’s tally to 9,565 people infected with Covid-19, including two third found in the fresh outbreak that flared up in late April.

Vietnam's coronavirus cases. Source: MoH. Chart: Minh Vu

So far, Covid-19 has swept 39 out of 63 cities and provinces with hotspots are Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Hanoi in the north, HCMC in the south, and Ha Tinh in the central region.

Secretary of the Bac Giang Party’s Committee Duong Van Thai on June 9 said the infections are high but the situation there remains under control. Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son who is tasked with monitoring the pandemic fight in Bac Giang echoed Thai, saying that the new cases are all found in quarantine zones.

In another move, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has asked the Ministry of Health to soon complete procedures to facilitate the transport and centralized quarantine for incoming people who are foreign experts and Vietnamese returnees.

To support the massive testing, the ministry will soon apply saliva and optical testing in affected areas.