Military's chemical unit sprayed disinfectants at COVID-19 hot spots in Cẩm Giàng District, the northern province of Hải Dương, currently Việt Nam's epicentre in latest wave of infections. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s health ministry reported 18 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, all in the northern province of Hải Dương Province, the country's current epicentre, bringing the total caseload to 2,347.

Fifteen cases were direct contacts of previously confirmed patients and have already been quarantined, one case was detected in an area that has already been locked down.

However, there is one case that was detected during the screening of all people in the province showing suspect symptoms like fever and coughing, and another one found during screening at a medical clinic in the province. Contact tracers are working to investigate their contacts and find potential sources of infection.

On Thursday, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Trường Sơn, deputy head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, visited Hải Dương, especially the centralised facilities in Cẩm Giàng District and businesses in Phúc Điền and Tân Trường industrial parks.

Sơn praised the swift response of local authorities and businesses in dealing with outbreaks, given that the district’s much more complex situation as it accommodates 60,000 workers at five major industrial zones.

Sơn noted that the outbreak in Cẩm Giàng District remains complicated and urged people to remain vigilant.

The latest community outbreaks have since January 27 resulted in a total of 755 infections, larger than the Đà Nẵng outbreak in late July-August last year.

Việt Nam also yesterday gave the all-clear to 25 COVID-19 patients, putting the country’s total recoveries at 1,605.

Also Thursday, Hà Nội’s health department has announced that it would test all people arriving from outbreak-hit areas in the country.

The cases include those who travelled from or to Cẩm Giàng district of the northern province of Hải Dương – the country’s largest hotspot, from January 15; and returned from other localities of Hai Duong from February 2.

All people returning from virus affected areas of the 11 other provinces and cities with recent community clusters – Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, Hưng Yên, Hoà Bình, Hà Giang, Điện Biên, HCM City, Bình Dương, and Gia Lai – in the last 14 days are asked to self-isolate for 14 days and contact local health authorities to be advised and tested for COVID-19 within February 18-20.

The hotlines are 0969082115-0949396115. — VNS