HCMC – The Ministry of Health this evening, May 17, confirmed 1,785 new Covid cases, inching up by 237 cases against the day earlier.

Hanoi City recorded the highest number of new infections at 419, followed by Vinh Phuc with 119 and Phu Tho with 111. Other provinces and cities detected fewer than 100 cases each. Nearly 5,100 Covid patients were declared free of the disease today, sending the country’s total recoveries to over 9.36 million. Four Covid deaths were reported, including three in Binh Duong and one in Khanh Hoa. The Ministry of Health today wrote to 63 cities and provinces stating that the administration of the third Covid vaccine shot to residents aged 18 and older still failed to meet the plan set by the Government. Therefore, they must accelerate the vaccination and complete the task this quarter. In addition, localities must speed up the vaccination of children aged between five and 11 in a safe and effective manner. The vaccination of this age group must be also completed this quarter. As of May 16, the country had administered some 217.4 million Covid vaccine doses.