Vietnam’s coronavirus cases set another record on Friday [July 9] at 1,616, including two-thirds detected in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).

Le Thanh Ton Street in Ho Chi Minh City is left deserted due to the new restriction period. Photo: VNA

The newest infections have brought the southern economic hub to 10,295, the highest among affected cities and provinces nationwide.

The daily cases have lifted the country’s tally to 26,010, including 8,984 people have recovered. Meanwhile, the death toll has reached 110.

At present, the Covid-19 pandemic has swept through 19 cities and provinces in the southern region with a widespread transmission in the community. The typical names include HCMC, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Long An, and Tien Giang.

Today, HCMC began the 15-day partial lockdown while some of its neighbors imposed the same restriction measure.

Binh Duong, the neighboring province of HCMC, on July 9 placed under lockdown four biggest urban areas namely Di An, Thuan An, Tan Uyen, and Thu Dau Mot.

The outbreak has caused 1,126 infections in Binh Duong, including a large number detected in 45 companies and factories. To curb the transmission, 70% of State employees are requested to work at home instead of coming to their offices in a 22-story twin tower, where is home to offices of almost all State agencies in the province.

Dong Nai, where is adjacent to HCMC, imposed the entire province lockdown from July 9 after it reported more than 100 cases that are mainly linked to HCMC. The local authorities said its health system is capable of treating about 1,000 Covid-19 cases only.

Khanh Hoa, the central province home to Nha Trang, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, also put some areas on lockdown as its total infections rose to 100.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party’s Committee Dinh Tien Dung. Photo: Viet Dung

Hanoi, on July 9 asked local authorities to tighten control over people returning from affected areas. Accordingly, all first-generation contacts of the index cases (F1) must undergo concentrated quarantine.

Meanwhile, all others coming from the pandemic-hit localities need to take one-week home quarantine and three-time testing during the isolation period.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party’s Committee Dinh Tien Dung said today that the local government will maintain its anti-pandemic achievements. Hanoi had undergone nearly 10 days without community transmission before the resurgence of Covid-19 a few days ago.

“Controlling the situation at the current level and maintaining the relaxation are success showing the whole community’s efforts,” Dung said.

Therefore, he asked local leaders to bear the responsibility for the pandemic prevention and control in areas in charge.

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