Coronavirus: Vietnam outbreak fears grow as 82 cases reported; ‘kill switch’ rumours dog Philippines’ vaccine roll-out
- Vietnam on Thursday confirmed 82 locally transmitted cases of coronavirus – the highest reported number since the start of the pandemic
- Meanwhile in the Philippines, rumours circulate that vaccines contain microchips allowing the president to kill people at the push of a button
Early on Thursday morning, Vietnam had recorded just two new infections in the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh, yet wider contact tracing revealed a further 80 cases in these areas, including 10 found at nearby Van Don International Airport.
The increase represents the highest reported number of new community transmissions of the virus since the start of the pandemic and come just weeks ahead of Lunar New Year when families travel across the country for the biggest festival of the year.
The positive test results come at a tricky time in the Southeast Asian country, which is currently holding its 13th National Congress, an event that sees the Communist Party pick new leaders and set policy for the next five years.
On Thursday morning, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held an emergency meeting on preventing the spread of Covid-19 during the event.
Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said in the meeting that around 70 cases were linked to a factory that employs thousands in Hai Duong city, just an hour from Hanoi. Extensive contact tracing of staff and family is now under way. The government will also build three field hospitals in Hai Duong.