HCM City to enforce stricter restrictions as COVID-19 cases surge

Ho Chi Minh City should be ready to impose tougher restrictions in order to halt the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the community, said Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee.
Extensive testing is being accelerated in HCM City to early detect and isolate positive cases.

Extensive testing is being accelerated in HCM City to early detect and isolate positive cases.

HCM City has been implementing a two-week social distancing order since July 9 to slow the spread of the virus, but the number of new infections remains very high at approximately 2,000 each day.

Data from the Ministry of Health show after 10 days of implementing the measures, the number of infections per day in the busiest and most populous city in Vietnam has kept rising. On July 18 alone, the city documented a record high of 4,692 infections.

The implementation of the social distancing measures has yet to meet expectations, Nen told a meeting in HCM City on July 20 afternoon.

He said the city is consulting experts and relevant ministries to introduce tougher restrictions in order to achieve the set goal of curbing the spread of the virus in the community.

The HCM City leader expressed hope the city will receive greater support and additional assistance from the Government, the Ministry of Health, relevant ministries and agencies to the COVID-19 fight in the locality.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam shared difficulties the city is experiencing, quoting Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long as saying the fresh outbreak is still very complicated and the number of infections is expected to rise in the coming days.

“Strict isolation is the best measure right now to slow the spread of the epidemic,” said Dam, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

He suggested that the city soon separate all F0 cases from the community and speed up the testing campaign to early detect and isolate positive cases.

“The most important thing for the city right now is to reduce the number of F0 infections and severe cases to limit deaths,” Dam said.

He suggested that the Ministry of Health give top priority to the provision of medical supplies to HCM City.

Dam said he had directed the Ministry of Health to urgently apply a special procurement mechanism to create maximum conditions for frontline localities to get medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention and treatment, especially for emergency resuscitation.

HCM City has recorded more than 39,000 COVID-19 cases since the resurgence of the virus in late April, making up more than half the country’s total number of infections, and becoming the largest coronavirus hotspot in the country.

VOV

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.