Speaking at a national conference held virtually, Dam, who is also deputy head of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, noted the rapid spread of Omicron that has been found in 89 countries and territories so far, including Southeast Asian nations.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam at the conference.

Dam reiterated a notice issued by the Prime Minister on December 19 ordering stronger actions given the resurgence of the new variant.

The Ministry of Health needs to keep a close watch on the situation to give timely guidelines and instructions, Dam cited the notice, saying large-scale health system overload should not happen.

The Deputy PM urged speeding up the vaccine rollout, which, he said, must cover all people in the targeted age groups, especially those above 50 years old and people with underlying diseases.

He emphasised that the Health Ministry and People’s Committees of cities and provinces must ensure that people testing positive for the virus gain access to medical services and undergo health monitoring.

As of December 22 morning, Vietnam reported 1,571,780 infections, ranking 32 out of 223 countries and territories in terms of the caseload. Of the total, 1,571,780 were detected during the fourth wave of infections that began late April.

The country’s death toll reached 30,041 or 1,9 percent of the caseload.

Localities are working hard to complete administering the second dose of Covid-19 vaccines for residents above 18 years old by the end of this month, and for those aged from 12 to 18 within next month.

Slight reduction in new Covid-19 cases on December 20

During 24 hours from 4pm December 19 to 4pm December 20, Vietnam recorded 14,977 Covid-19 infections, with 14,966 domestic cases across 61 provinces and cities – down 1,127 cases from the previous day, according to the Ministry of Health.

Bac Giang strictly controls Covid-19 pandemic and well prepares conditions ahead Lunar New Year

(BGO) - The People’s Committee (PPC) in Bac Giang province on December 19 held regular meeting on December under the chair of PPC Permanent Vice Chairman Mai Son.

3rd Covid shot after 3 months, not 6, says ministry

The Ministry of Health has reduced the waiting time for the third Covid-19 vaccine shot from six months to three.

Updates of Covid-19 new cases in Vietnam on Dec 19 afternoon

Updates of Covid-19 new cases in Vietnam on Dec 19 afternoon.

Update of Covid-19 new cases in Vietnam on December 18 afternoon

Update of Covid-19 new cases in Vietnam on December 18 afternoon.

Source: NDO/VNA