Infection tally in Vietnam's new Covid wave crosses 8,000

Of the new patients, the northern Bac Giang Province recorded 61 cases in isolated areas and quarantine camps, and they are all linked to hotspots at the province's industrial parks.

Ho Chi Minh City registered 19, including 13 that had come into contact with previously confirmed patients and five linked to the cluster appearing late last month at a church in Go Vap District. For the remaining case, the source of transmission is still unclear.

Bac Ninh Province that borders Bac Giang registered nine cases, with seven linked to clusters at industrial parks and two associated with previously confirmed patients.

The central Ha Tinh Province reported two cases who are people having had contact with Covid-19 patients.

Since the new wave broke out seven weeks ago, Vietnam has recorded infections in 40 of its 63 cities and provinces. Bac Giang led with 4,462 cases, followed by Bac Ninh with 1,424, and HCMC with 980.

The national tally is now at 11,304 with 4,543 recoveries. More than 1.64 million of its 96-million population have been vaccinated.