With comprehensive efforts and the health sector’s ability, Vietnam is expected to stop the spread of the acute respiratory disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) although the country may report more cases in the future.

Right after declaring Covid-19 an epidemic in Vietnam, the nation responded rapidly to control and prevent the spread of the disease. The health sector has constantly updated the world’s advanced treatment regimens. All central hospitals have been prepared for the worst scenario. Field hospitals are ready for an outbreak of the disease.

Vietnam presented medical supplies and equipment worth 500,000 US dollars to China to fight the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The Vietnam Red Cross Society also donated medical supplies worth 100,000 US dollars to China and seven northern border provinces have also provided support for the Chinese people.

By February 16, Vietnam reported 16 Covid-19 cases and seven Covid-19 patients had recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Li Zichao from China, the second Covid-19 patient in Vietnam, was discharged from the hospital after a 14-day treatment at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. He said that he was very lucky to be hospitalized in Vietnam and that he received good treatment. The Chinese Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City thanked the Vietnamese Government and doctors for their treatment of Li Zichao and his farther.  

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 4 chaired a cabinet meeting to prevent and control the epidemic outbreak. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA The Vietnamese PM inspects the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic in Hue. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the steering committee for Covid-19 prevention and control chairs a teleconference with ministries, agencies and localities on measures to prevent and control the disease. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA   Lang Son province presents 350,000 medical masks to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s authority at Huu Nghi international border gate. Previously the province presented 265,000 medical masks, 500 bottles of alcohol and 800 medical protective items and many medical supplies to localities bordering China. Photo: Thai Thuan/VNA On February 4, the first Covid-19 patient in Khanh Hoa province was discharged from the hospital after a 9-day treatment. In the photo: Vice director of Khanh Hoa hospital for tropical diseases Nguyen Vu Quoc Binh presents flowers to the patient. Photo: Phan Sau/VNA Doctors at Ho Chi Minh City’s Cho Ray hospital congratulate 28-year-old Chinese patient Li Zhichao on his recovery from the disease. Photo: Dinh Hang/VNA

Noi Bai international airport proactively takes measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic and provides medical masks and sterilizing solution to all staff members. Photo: Thanh Dat/VNA Viet Duc high school in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, gives instructions on measures to prevent the epidemic to students and teachers. Photo: Thanh Dat/VNA A Covid-19 patient is being treated at Cho Ray hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VNA The center for tropical diseases of Bach Mai hospital boosts monitoring cases of respiratory disease and preparations to receive, isolate and cure patients following a guideline of prevention for dangerous diseases. Photo: Duong Ngoc/VNA Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son inspects the situation of two Covid-19 patients from China who are father and son. The father came to Vietnam through Noi Bai international airport from Wuhan. Photo: Thanh Chung/VNA Employees of JY Ha Nam Co., Ltd. wear medical masks at work. Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA  An aircraft of Vietnam Airlines carrying 30 citizens from Wuhan in China’s Hubei province. 15 members of the crew and three medical staff, landed at Van Don international airport on Van Don island, Quang Ninh province at 05:04 am on February 10. The passengers were immediately taken to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for isolation and medical monitoring. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA More than 800 Chinese employees are being isolated and monitored in Hai Phong. Photo: An Dang/VNA  Thong Nhat hospital in Ho Chi Minh City practices coping with two emergency situations related to the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Dinh Hang/VNA The Phu Yen disease control center checks temperature for all passengers at Tuy Hoa airport.  Photo: Xuan Thieu/VNA Lang Son province’s authority inspects the preparations for receiving and isolating Vietnamese people returning from China and prevention work at schools in Van Lang, Cao Loc districts and Lang Son. Photo: Thai Thuan/VNA Hai Duong city’s authority checks the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic at Nguyen Luong Bang primary school in the city. Photo: Thai Thuan/VNA Body temperature scanning at Huu Nghi international border gate. Photo: Thai Thuan/VNA Vietnamese border guards present medical masks to people in the bordering districts of Tra Linh, Ha Lang and Phuc Hoa in Cao Bang province. Photo: Chu Hieu/VNA

Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency in an interview, WHO representative in Vietnam Park Ki-dong said that the World Health Organization noted that Vietnam has been managing “very well” the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by Covid-19.

On Vietnam’s ability and capacity in successfully isolating the virus, Park said the WHO took note of and highly valued the capacity of Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. “This demonstrates that Vietnam has a very strong infection laboratory system,” he added.

The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has successfully cultivated and isolated the 2019 novel coronavirus in the laboratory. This will enable quicker tests of the virus. With the latest achievement, Vietnam is able to test thousands of samples a day when necessary.

By February 17, Vietnam reported 16 Covid-19 cases, including two Chinese and one Vietnamese American. Of the Covid-19 patients, 11 come from  Vinh Phuc; 3 from Ho Chi Minh City; 1 from Khanh Hoa, and 1 from Thanh Hoa. Seven Covid-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital.

Story: VNP - Photos: VNA