Vietnam's Covid infection tally rises by 9,595

By Le Nga August 17, 2021 | 04:30 am PT

Military personnel move beds to a Covid-19 field hospital in Thu Dau Mot Town of Binh Duong Province, July 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Thai Ha

The Health Ministry confirmed 9,595 new local Covid-19 patients in 40 cities and provinces on Tuesday, up 951 against Monday's tally.

Among the new patients, Ho Chi Minh City recorded 3,559 cases, followed by its neighboring provinces of Binh Duong (3,332) and Long An (581), and Mekong Delta's province of Tien Giang (411).

Of the cases recorded on Tuesday, 4,465 were detected in the community, and the rest in quarantine zones and areas under lockdown.

The Health Ministry announced another 331 Covid-19 fatalities Tuesday in 12 localities, including 285 in HCMC.

Since the new wave emerged in late April, Vietnam has reported 289,276 community infections in 62 of its 63 cities and provinces. Of the patients, 108,534 have recovered and 6,437 have died.

HCMC is the epicenter of the wave with 156,386 cases, followed by Binh Duong with 49,833.

The nation of 96 million has vaccinated more than 15.27 million against the new coronavirus, with more than 1.4 million having two doses.