Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam on April 27 reported 2,958 new COVID-19 cases –the highest recorded in a day in the past over six months, according to theMinistry of Health.

Since the pandemic broke out in the country in early 2020,Vietnam has reported over 11.55 million cases, of whom nearly 10.62 million weregiven the all-clear, and 43,188 people died of the disease.

To date, the country has administered approximately 266.2million doses of vaccines against COVID-19.

Statistics of the Ministry of Health showed the number of newCOVID-19 cases has been increasing again, and two deaths have also beenrecorded after nearly four months, including a patient with underlying diseases whowas not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Authorities have requested localities accelerate vaccinationfor people of high-risk groups.

Prof. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the Ministry of Health'sDepartment of Preventive Medicine, said that the implementation of COVID-19prevention measures – masking and disinfecting – should be done regularly andcontinuously during the upcoming holidays of Hung Kings Commemoration Day,National Reunification and May Day from April 29 to May 3, amid a rise ininfections in the country.

Lan suggested localities need to increase pandemicsurveillance during the holidays. After a few years of travel restrictionscaused by the pandemic, demand for travel is expected to be high, which resultsin elevated risks of disease spreading.

Furthermore, the local health sector must continuecoordinating with the education authorities to ensure pandemic prevention inschools, as many will start final exams after the holidays.

Lan also suggested that the Pasteur Institutes and theregional branches of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology work with theprovinces and cities to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation ofhospitalised and severe cases, which will provide data to inform the publicabout the outbreak situation and urge further vaccinations.

At the same time, the institutes will need to step upsampling and genetic sequencing of case samples to keep a close watch onvariants of coronavirus circulating in the community.

Localities need to manage non-communicable diseases in thecommunity and medical facilities to reduce pressure when dealing with peoplewith underlying medical conditions that have COVID-19.

Provinces and cities should promptly update local pandemicassessment levels to take appropriate measures to prevent and control seriousoutbreaks./.