Daily tally hits 14,208, over 10,250 free from COVID-19

A total of 14,208 new cases of COVID-19, including 15 imported infections were recorded, while more than 10,250 patients were declared free from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, said the Ministry of Health in its September 7 update.

The two localities with the highest number of new domestic cases continued to be Ho Chi Minh City with 7,310 and its neighbour Binh Duong with 3,966.

Several localities also recorded hundreds of local cases, including Dong Nai with 945, Long An with 490, Kien Giang with 242, Tien Giang with 183, and Quang Binh with 182.

In relation to the daily tally, 8,161 cases were detected within the community with unclear sources of transmission, while the remaining infections were contained in quarantine and lockdown areas.

Following the latest additions, the country's total number of infections since COVID-19 initially broke out in the nation in early 2020 amounts to 550,996, ranking 51st among 222 countries and territories globally.

The overall number of recoveries also climbed to 311,710 following an additional 10,253 patients being released from hospital.

A total of 316 deaths were confirmed on September 7 across 9 localities, with the majority of them occurring in Ho Chi Minh City with 253. The COVID-19 fatality count now stands at 13,710, or 2.5% of overall infections, 0.4% higher compared to the COVID-19 mortality rate in the rest of the world at 2.1%.

The nation has so far vaccinated more than 22.6 million people, including 3.44 million people who have received two full doses.

During an earlier cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underlined the urgent need to contain the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of September.

Moving forward, the top priority should be given to bringing the pandemic under control as swiftly as possible as this will be a decisive factor for economic recovery.

Given the current shortage of vaccines and low vaccination coverage, preventive measures are still required at present, including social distancing measures, the PM added.

He therefore asked that relevant agencies devise a roadmap for economic recovery and growth in the scenario of widespread vaccination coverage.