Mongolia has reported 58 new COVID-19 cases within the last 24 hours, bringing its total caseload to 2,551, the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said on Friday (19 February).

Meanwhile, 17 more recoveries have been reported, bringing the national count to 1,819.

The disease has claimed five lives in Mongolia so far.

The government is planning to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the 3.3 million Mongolian population against COVID-19; some 20 percent of them will be vaccinated under COVAX, a global initiative to ensure quick and equal access to vaccines against the virus, according to the health ministry.

The country is expected to launch itsnationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign next week