The new infections brought the country's total number of infections since the pandemic broke out in early 2020 to 435,132.

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (August 26): Addtional 12,096 New Cases

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (August 25): More Than 10,800 Cases Added

Vietnam Covid-19 Updates (August 24): Additional 10,280 New Infections

Photo: VN Express

Additional 12,663 Covid-19 cases logged

Vietnam recorded 12,663 Covid-19 infections, including 12,619 domestic and 44 imported cases, in the past 24 hours to 6 pm on August 29, the Ministry of Health announced.

The southern province of Binh Duong logged the highest number of infections with 5,414 cases. It was followed by Ho Chi Minh City with 4,957 cases and Long An with 533 infections. Of those, 5,712 cases were found in the community and the rest were in locked-down areas and quarantine sites.

Also on August 29, a further 8,813 patients were given the all-clear from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, raising the total number of recoveries to 219,802. Meanwhile, 344 fatalities related to the disease were reported on the same day, lifting the country’s death toll to 10,749, accounting for 2.5 percent of the total caseload.

Photo: VOV

Vietnam yet to approve homegrown Nano Covax vaccine

The Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients on August 29 did not approve Nano Covax, the first locally produced Covid-19 vaccine, and requested additional data to ensure the vaccine is completely safe and effective.

The Advisory Council acknowledged the results that Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, the developer of the vaccine, has achieved in conducting its human clinical trials, which have been approved by the National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Research under the Ministry of Health.

However, the council requested that Nanogen and its research team supplement and clarify some contents relating to the safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of the vaccine. Members of the council said they need to get more data to see if Nano Covax is effective against mutated strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus like Delta, Alpha, and others. They also requested that Nanogen and its research team analyze and discuss the relationship between the immunogenicity of the vaccine and the protective efficacy of at least 50% according to the World Health Organization.

Photo: VN Express

Vietnam remains favored destination for foreign investment despite Covid-19: an Australian newspaper

Vietnam is likely to remain foreign investors’ favored destination despite the Covid-19 resurgence ravaging across the country, The Australia Financial Review (ARF) said in a story published earlier this week.

“In recent decades, Vietnam has excelled in reeling in the big fish in electronics, footwear, and clothing,” it said. “Low labor costs, reliable infrastructure, and a smooth bureaucratic process have attracted the likes of Samsung, Foxconn, Nike, Adidas, Gap, and Levis.” Many factories that are still open are striving to maintain production under the “3 in 1” policy whereby employees eat, sleep and work on-site.

While some ex-pats have cleared out, many others have stayed. “The small and medium-sized business owners who have investments here have stayed. Most are not panicking. They want to be here, so their companies can recover as soon as possible,” it quoted Simon Fraser, executive director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) in Vietnam, as saying.

HSBC has cut its economic growth forecast for Vietnam from 6.1 percent this year to 5.1 percent. “Despite near-term challenges, Vietnam’s recovery prospects still look rosy with strong fundamentals,” wrote HSBC economist Yun Liu. “Vietnam will bounce back because it has such a competitive advantage in labor costs,” she said.

Photo: VN Express

National basketball championship canceled amid Covid-19

Vietnam Basketball Association has announced the cancellation of the national basketball championship VBA which started over two months ago. The championship has taken place in the central Khanh Hoa Province for more than 70 days, playing behind closed doors and following strictly Covid-19 measures with regular testing.

"VBA has received major support from enterprises and clubs. However, due to the regulation on contract duration with coaches, players, international referees, and assistants, after reaching an agreement with the clubs, enterprises, organizers and Khanh Hoa authorities, Vietnam Basketball Association has decided to cancel VBA 2021," the announcement stated.

Over 300 athletes, coaches, domestic and international staff have participated in VBA 2021 at the centralized Nha Trang University Gymnasium in Khanh Hoa. All coaches, players, and staff were tested regularly.

The new infections brought the country's total number of infections since the pandemic broke out in early 2020 to 435,132. Meanwhile, 344 fatalities related to the disease were reported on the same day, lifting the country’s death toll to 10,749, accounting for 2.5 percent of the total caseload.

More than 261,000 doses of vaccines were administered on August 28. The country has to date administered over 19.43 million doses of vaccines, with more than 2.43 million people having been fully vaccinated.

Valerie Mai