Vietnam confirmed 914 locally-transmitted Covid-19 infections on July 3, the highest-ever cases since early 2020.

The latest cases have brought the country’s tally to 19,043, available in 52 cities and provinces nationwide. The death toll stays at 84.

Testing in Nidec Sankyo Vietnam Corporation on July 3. Photo: HCDC

The daily infections included 714 in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the remaining found in 21 cities and provinces from the north to the south. The city currently maintains social distancing and lockdown in sớm areas.

The HCMC is the hardest-hit locality with 5,437, only behind Bac Giang epicenter 5,710. Bac Ninh ranks third with 1,609, followed by Binh Duong with 548.

Today, Nidec Sankyo Vietnam Corporation located at Saigon Hi-tech Park, Thu Duc City, HCMC, suspended operations after it found 191 confirmed and suspected cases. The number of first-generation contacts of index cases (F1) reaches more than 1,000.

Nidec Sankyo Vietnam manufactures stepping motors, employing more than 4,000 people.

According to the HCMC Labor Union, nearly 20,000 workers in the city had to stop working due to Covid-19 as of July 1, including nearly 1,000 confirmed cases, more than 6,000 F1, and nearly 12,000 F2.

The southern economic hub is home to 1.6 million laborers, including more than 320,000 people working in 17 industrial parks, exporting processing zones, and one hi-tech park.

Ho Chi Minh City has maintained social distancing and lockdown in certain parts since late May.

Accordingly, the city classified its districts into three groups basing on the levels of risk. The particularly high-risk areas cover Binh Tan, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, District 8, Tan Phu, and part of Thu Duc City. The high-risk zones include Go Vap, Cu Chi, District 1, Binh Thanh, Tan Binh, District 5, District 4, District 12, and part of Thu Duc City. The less-risk places include Can Gio, District 10, District 11, District 7, and Phu Nhuan.

It is racing against time to speed up inoculation and massive testing on more than five million residents.