A medical worker collects samples for Covid-19 tests. Vietnam reported 2,821 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday morning - PHOTO: MINISTRY OF HEALTH

HCMC - The Ministry of Health confirmed 2,821 new Covid-19 cases in 21 cities and provinces this morning, July 29, taking the country’s Covid-19 tally to 123,640.

HCMC recorded the biggest number of new infections with 1,715 cases, followed by other southern provinces such as Binh Duong with 406, Long An with 179, Dong Nai with 159, Tay Ninh with 139 and Ba Ria-Vung Tau with 52.

Besides, the Health Ministry confirmed 37 cases in Daklak, 31 in Vinh Long, 18 each in Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang, 15 each in Phu Yen and Dong Thap, and 10 in An Giang.

Hau Giang, Can Tho, Nghe An, Binh Dinh, Bac Lieu, Dak Nong, Lang Son and Hanoi reported less than 10 new cases each.

The country has reported 119,812 domestic Covid-19 infections in 62 cities and provinces in the fourth Covid-19 wave since April 27.

HCMC remains the country’s biggest Covid-19 hotspot in the latest outbreak, with 78,904 cases, followed by its neighbor Binh Duong with 9,946 cases. The southern provinces of Long An, Dong Nai and Dong Thap are also among the five hardest hit localities.

Up to now, more than 27,450 Covid-19 patients in the country have made a full recovery. Meanwhile, over 200 critical patients are being treated at intensive care units and 17 patients have to rely on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Up to 1 million free meals worth VND15 billion (over US$650,000) have been offered to disadvantaged people affected by Covid-19 across 28 provinces and cities nationwide since the fourth Covid-19 wave broke out in late April, as part of a social program launched by the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee.

In Hanoi, the program is scheduled to run until August 7, providing meals, each valued at VND25,000, for poor people, freelancers, workers losing their jobs, Covid-19 patients and their families, among others. As of July 28, over 1,000 meals had been distributed in the city.