Vietnam Reports 80 New COVID-19 Cases, Danang Markets Allow Entry Based On Odd & Even Dates

Vietnam’s daily caseloads soar to new high of 80

As of 10th May, Vietnam has confirmed 80 new COVID-19 infections. The daily surge is coming from rapidly ballooning outbreaks at 7 clusters across 24 cities and provinces.

As the string of community infections continue to emerge, authorities have called on citizens to refrain from going out.

To reduce local transmissions, Danang authorities have introduced a new measure to thin the crowds at public venues. Under the rule, visitors’ access to local markets is restricted based on the odd or even dates of their cards.

Vietnam saw 78 community cases within 1 day

K Hospital
Image credit: Ministry of Health

On 10th May, the Ministry of Health reported 80 new COVID-19 cases, including 78 community cases. Among these cases, a majority come from clusters in the Hanoi Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Sunny Karaoke Bar in Vinh Phuc. 2 remaining cases were imported and have been quarantined upon arrival.

As of today, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, and Danang lead the country in confirmed COVID-19 infections, according to Tuoi Tre.

Image credit: Tuoi Tre

Meanwhile, Hanoi’s COVID-19 situation is worsening as K Hospital, a cancer hospital in Tan Trieu commune has become a new cluster with at least 10 confirmed cases recorded.

The new spike in daily caseloads has taken the country’s total case count to 3,412.

Danang markets grant entry based on odd and even dates

A market in Danang
Image credit: Tuoi Tre

To prevent large gatherings in public places, the authorities of Danang have imposed entry restrictions at wet markets.

The new measures, which kicked in on 9th May, were aimed at reducing crowds and curtailing the risks of transmitting COVID-19 in public areas.

Pink card represents entry on an even-numbered date
Image adapted from: Tuoi Tre

According to the measure, every household will be given entry cards that allow them to visit markets every 3 days.

Those with pink cards can go buy groceries on even dates of the month, while those with blue cards can enter the markets on odd dates, Tuoi Tre reports. Each card can only be used once and will be collected by security guards at the entrance of every market.

This measure was rolled out in August last year when Danang was hit by a deluge of COVID-19 community cases.

Vietnam’s case count surges, stricter measures imposed

Vietnam’s local COVID-19 cases are jumping rapidly, which could signal the advent of stricter measures to curb the spread.

As the number of community cases and direct contacts have spread to over 20 parts of the city, we need to stay vigilant. What you can do now is to wear masks at all times in public, refrain from going out, and note down your travel history.

Stay safe everyone.

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Cover image adapted from: VTC and Tuoi Tre
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