HCMC - The Ministry of Health confirmed 8,601 new Covid infections today, February 3, including 26 imported cases and 8,575 domestic transmissions in 57 cities and provinces, a drop of 145 cases against yesterday.

Hanoi reported the most infections, at 2,738, followed by Thanh Hoa with 463, Quang Nam with 356 and Hai Duong with 326. Other cities and provinces detected fewer than 300 cases each. The country’s domestic transmissions have amounted to some 2.297 million in the fourth Covid wave, which began in late April 2021, and over 2.304 million cases in total. Up to now, Vietnam has found 192 people with the Omicron variant, mostly in HCMC, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Khanh Hoa and Danang. This afternoon, the Ministry of Health also confirmed 286 more Covid deaths, taking the nation’s death toll to 38,063. Hanoi, HCMC, Vinh Long, Ba Ria- Vung Tau, Bac Ninh and Ben Tre reported the most fatalities today. To date, nearly 2.094 million Covid patients in the country have fully recovered, while there are currently some 2,890 critically ill Covid patients. The country has administered almost 181.6 million doses of Covid vaccine nationwide so far, with some 74.1 million people having got two shots and 28.3 million people triple-dosed. In response to the disproportionate impact of the Covid pandemic on women and girls in Vietnam, Australia is providing support to accelerate sexual and reproductive health services and rights. The Covid Surge Response program is being delivered in partnership with international non-governmental organization MSI Reproductive Choices and includes support for family planning, maternal and child health, and combating gender-based violence. Australia will soon fulfil its commitment of delivering 7.8 million Covid vaccine doses to Vietnam, according to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. Almost 5.6 million doses have been delivered already, with more to come soon. Under the partnership with Vietnam, Australia has committed a AUD60 million package of support for Covid vaccine access, which alongside purchase of vaccines, is supporting cold chain upgrades, health worker training, communication campaigns and supporting the vaccine rollout in remote provinces in Vietnam.