The capital city is at high risk of further novel coronavirus outbreaks, given the hourly confirmed cases in the city and pandemic-hit neighboring localities.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh has stated at the working visit to Kim Son commune in Gia Lam district, where new Covid-19 cases linked to the outbreak in Thuan Thanh district in northern province of Bac Ninh have been confirmed.

The Hanoi mayor requested highest warning level amid the increasingly serious evolution of Covid-19 in the city.

He said that although Hanoi has stepped up prevention efforts, the Covid-19 pandemic is dangerously evolving with three risks that could increase the number of cases in the time ahead.

The first risk is from more than 1,500 people who have made close contact with Covid-19 patients and have been put under quarantine while waiting for coronavirus sample testing.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh inspects the quarantine zone at the Vietnam National Academy of Agriculture. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

The second one comes from the two Covid-19 epicenters in the city at the moment, including the Hanoi National Cancer Hospital K3 in Thanh Tri district and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases 2 in Dong Anh district, where having many patients tested positive for the coronavirus.

The third risk group is Covid-19 patients from pandemic-hit localities coming to Hanoi. The city has recorded many new cases linked to coronavirus patients in neighboring provinces of Ha Nam and Vinh Phuc. Some are related to the beach city of Danang, where nearly 20,000 Hanoi’s people returned after holidays of the Reunification Day (April 30) and Labor Day (May 1).

In his remarks, Ngoc Anh briefed the Covid-19 situation both globally and domestically, with the increasing number of asymptomatic people that can contribute to the virus spreading faster.

The municipal leader warned of the risk of virus transmission via places such as shops, bus stations and industrial zones.

“The disease situation will worsen as Hanoi is a populous area with a high proportion of older people and a high density of traffic. With the virus spreading faster, all residents must remain vigilant and redouble efforts to contain the outbreak in the city," emphasized Mayor Ngoc Anh.

At the time of writing, Hanoi has recorded 38 local Covid-19 infections in over a week.

Vietnam is currently experiencing its fourth wave since last week with community transmission in major cities of Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Ha Nam, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Quang Nam, Dong Nai, Hai Duong and Yen Bai.