No domestic infections reported on March 11

All the four imported cases are Vietnamese citizens who returned from abroad and were put into quarantine immediately after arrival.

The national tally now stands at 2,533, including 1,588 domestically-transmitted cases, with 895 recorded since January 27.

On March 11, 44 COVID-19 patients were given the all-clear, raising the total recoveries to 2,048. The death toll remains at 35.

Among patients still under treatment, 70 have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 once, 44 twice and 100 thrice.

A total 44,540 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-affected areas are being quarantined nationwide.

On the same day, authorities in Hai Phong started a COVID-19 vaccination programme for prioritised people in 15 areas and kicked off a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the northern port city.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Khac Nam asked the local healthcare sector to make full preparations and strictly ensure safety during the campaign.

According to the Director of the municipal Department of Health, Tran Anh Cuong, prioritised cases for shots in the first phase include medical staff who have been treating COVID-19 patients at the Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital, those involved in epidemiological investigations, sampling staff, those working at concentrated quarantine areas and other establishments used for quarantine, vaccination staff, and members of contact tracing teams.

A man gets COVID-19 vaccine injection in Bac Ninh. (Photo: NDO/Thai Son)

The General Hospital of the northern province of Bac Ninh on March 11 also began providing COVID-19 vaccinations to medical staff in regular and direct contact with sources of the disease.

The hospital is the first in the locality to kick off a vaccination programme.

Bac Ninh has been allocated 2,900 doses in the first stage. Its programme is being conducted in 11 areas and is for those working at medical facilities as well as the police and armed forces.

The two provinces of Hung Yen and Hoa Binh also started their COVID-19 inoculation drives today, in addition to six localities in Hai Duong province, including Hai Duong city, Chi Linh city, Kinh Mon town and three districts of Kim Thanh, Nam Sach and Cam Giang.