The Ministry of Health reported that those infected in the more than 60 provinces and cities where the virus is present amounted to 86,990, bringing the accumulated number since the beginning of the pandemic 25 months ago to 3,321,5 million.

Hanoi was once again the region with the highest number of cases, reporting 11,510 of them. According to experts, the number of cases in the city will continue to increase and will reach its peak in mid-March.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health also reported 94 deaths, bringing the total to 40,144.

Vietnam is focusing on achieving herd immunity through vaccination. To date, four-fifths of its 98 million inhabitants have completed the two-dose immunization plan and around 37 million have completed a third booster.

Life in the country is flowing under a “new normal” marked by the mandatory use of face masks, a ban on mass activities and other minor regulations, while regular commercial flights are expected to gradually resume.

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