Viet Nam confirms 60 new COVID-19 cases

The latest community-transmitted cases are residents of Vinh Phuc (11), Thai Binh (five), Bac Ninh (12), Ha Noi (4), Hai Duong (one), Hung Yen (two), Quang Ngai (one), National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (16), Da Nang (three), and Lang Son (one).

Meanwhile, all imported cases are Vietnamese brought home from Japan (three) and the United Arab Emirates (one).

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday said the mandatory quarantine period will be increased to 21 days from the current 14 days.

The renewed regulation is applicable to those who come in close contact with COVID-19 patients and those who enter Viet Nam, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

The extension is part of the country’s efforts to prevent spread of COVID-19 as authorities have detected tens of local infections linked to both Vietnamese and foreigners who tested positive for COVID-19 after completing 14-day mandatory quarantine.

Many localities nationwide have decided to suspend non-essential services like bars, karaoke, discotheques, massage, and streat eateries, or even close schools to prevent spread of the virus./.

By Huong Giang