Fifteen of the 18 new patients (2330-2347), are close contacts of confirmed cases, and three others were detected through screening processes either within the community, locked down areas or at medical centers.

A person gives another one shopping coupons through a gate in Hai Duong Province due to existing social distancing measures against Covid-19.

Further contact tracing is underway. The patients are being treated at Hai Duong hospitals.

Twenty-five recoveries were also announced Thursday.

Over 145,000 are quarantined in hospitals, centralized quarantine zones, at home or other designated accommodations.

Since a new Covid-19 outbreak was detected on January 28, it has spread to 13 cities and provinces. The biggest hotspot is Hai Duong Province with 575 cases, followed by Quang Ninh with 60, HCMC with 36 and Hanoi 35.

Hai Duong imposed 15-day social distancing across the province since Tuesday, but Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son has urged it to extend the period given rising cases.

Vietnamese carriers asked to refuse passengers flouting pandemic prevention measures

Aviation authorities have ordered carriers to refuse transporting passengers who flout Covid-19 prevention measures like medical declarations.

Import-export revenue soars sharply during Tet

Import and export activities remained active and even increased during seven days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2021 from February 10-16, with total import and export revenue of US$1.67 billion, up 53% over the Lunar New Year 2020.

Source: VnExpress