Vietnam records 13th nCoV infection case

The Ministry of Health announced in February 7 evening that Vietnam has recorded the 13th case tested positive to the novel corona virus (nCoV).

Spraying disinfectant in Thanh Hoa City to prevent nCoV spread. (Photo: NDO/Mai Luan)
Spraying disinfectant in Thanh Hoa City to prevent nCoV spread. (Photo: NDO/Mai Luan)

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The 29-year-old woman in the northern province of Vinh Phuc is one of the eight workers returning from China’s Wuhan city on the same flight with five others who have been confirmed of contracting the acute respiratory disease caused by the nCoV, the ministry said, adding she is one of the remaining three who show no symptoms of the disease and have been isolated.

She is now being isolated and still in stable health conditions with no fever or cough. Her sample was taken on February 3.

This brings the number of the nCoV-positive cases in Vinh Phuc province to eight.

WHO praises Vietnam’s efforts in nCoV fight

On the same day, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam, Park Ki-dong, said that Vietnam has been managing “very well” the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by nCoV.

Talking about Vietnam’s efforts in the fight against the spread of the disease, the official highlighted that Vietnam activated the response system “at the very early stage of the outbreak”, adding the country has strengthened the testing system along with the sharing of relevant information.

About 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 in the work. “This demonstrates that Vietnam has a very strong infection laboratory system,” he added.

The official warned that in the time to come, there may be many cases occurring in Vietnam as well as other countries, and Vietnam needs to maintain its vigilance, supervision and preparedness against the epidemic. The people need to take the guidance by the WHO and keep their health, while the countries should share information on a timely basis, Park stressed.

ADB helps regional countries to combat nCoV

Also on February 7, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it has approved US$2 million in funding to support efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The funds will supplement an ongoing regional technical assistance and strengthen the response capacity in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The funds will be used to improve outbreak investigation and surveillance, including in rural areas, and strengthen health systems' resilience and capacity for epidemic response, including support for the supply of diagnostic and laboratory equipment for rapid testing.

"ADB has a track record of providing rapid and targeted support to our members in emergency situations," said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. The bank stands ready to provide further assistance as required, he affirmed.

The bank is collaborating closely with World Health Organisation officials and regional experts to identify areas for coordinated responses and possible further financial assistance to respond to the virus outbreak situation, it said.

The bank's economists are looking at the virus outbreak's impact on the region's economies, including through channels such as tourism, consumption, trade, and supply chains, the bank added.

Japan helps Vietnam with rapid nCoV identification

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has presented the first batch of biological products worth about JPY2.3 million (US$20,934) to Vietnam, aiming to help the country promptly respond to the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (nCoV).

The products were handed to the Hanoi-based National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, JICA said on February 7.

The batch is part of Japan’s aid package valued at about JPY14 million for Vietnam, which includes different types of biological products in service of rapid and accurate virus testing.

The Ministry of Health has assigned the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to carry out tests on samples of suspected nCoV cases in the northern region.