Vietnam is now in last place on the Nikkei Covid-19 Recovery Index

The Saigon Bridge has few traffic at 5:30 p.m. on July 26, 2021, minutes before the city's night movement ban came into effect. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen.

The prolonged ongoing Covid-19 pandemic across Vietnam has pushed the country down to last place on the Nikkei Covid-19 Recovery Index.

Vietnam slipped 20 places in two months, from 100th in June to 114th in early July and now to 120th with the latest score of 22.0, tied with Thailand.

China (74.0) leads the recovery index, followed by New Zealand (69.5) and Hungary (69.0).

The Nikkei Covid-19 Recovery Index ranks more than 120 countries and territories on infection management, vaccine rollouts and social mobility.

According to VN Express, a higher ranking indicates that a country or region is closer to recovery with low numbers of Covid-19 cases, better vaccination rates or less strict social distancing measures.

Since April 27, 2021, when the new wave hit Vietnam, the country had recorded 201,692 local cases in 62 cities and provinces.

Since Sunday morning. HCMC leads the tally with 119,802 cases, followed by industrial hubs Binh Duong with 25,906 and Long An with 10,115.

The number of recoveries since the start of the pandemic is 66,637, while the death toll stands at 3,250.

Hanoi, HCMC and many other southern localities had to impose social distancing orders to try and reduce the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus.

The order has been in effect in HCMC for more than two months. Hanoi authorities have decided to extend social distancing for another two weeks, until August 22.

During that period, people must stay at home and not venture out except for essential purposes such as buying food or medication. All non-essential activities have been halted.

Over 8.5 million people have received at least one shot of the Covid-19 vaccination. Of these, at least 888,500 have been fully vaccinated.