Efforts strengthened amidst 15th nCoV infection case recorded in Vietnam

Localities across Vietnam have strengthened efforts to prevent the novel coronavirus (nCoV) from spread into the community, as the country has recorded 15 nCoV infection cases, with 10 in Vinh Phuc.

Representatives from the Steering Committee for nCoV prevention in Quang Ninh Province check the remote body temperature monitoring and measurement equipment at Mong Cai International Border Gate. (Photo: NDO)
Representatives from the Steering Committee for nCoV prevention in Quang Ninh Province check the remote body temperature monitoring and measurement equipment at Mong Cai International Border Gate. (Photo: NDO)

The latest infected patient is a three-month-old baby from Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, who was confirmed positive for the deadly virus by the Ministry of Health (MoH) this morning (February 11).

Vinh Phuc authorities have focused on strengthening disease preventive measures, with a plan to set up a 300-bed field hospital to provide isolation and treatment for both suspected and confirmed infection cases, while performing well in epidemic hygiene and quarantine in localities and medical facilities across the province.

Workers in Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province, regularly wash their hands with soap to proactively prevent the spread of nCoV. (Photo: NDO/Huu Nghia)

* According to the Vietnam News Agency, speaking at a regular press conference on February 10 in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang expressed his sincere thanks to countries, including Vietnam, for their assistance to China in the fight against nCoV. Geng Shuang said that medical supplies, including gloves, masks and protective gear sent by Vietnam have arrived in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province – the epicentre of the nCoV epidemic.

Earlier on February 9, Vietnam sent medical equipment and supplies on a Vietnam Airlines aircraft to China to help fight the virus. The flight also transported 11 Chinese citizens back to Wuhan and flew 30 Vietnamese citizens home from Hubei Province on its return leg.

* On February 10, the Vietnam Maritime Administration issued a written request to enterprises and ports urging them to strengthen control of ships and means in and out of Vietnam’s seaports, especially passenger ships, while implementing health declaration for passengers.

* Hanoi has seriously implemented surveillance and isolation for treatment of detected, suspected nCoV cases. The competent forces closely supervise passengers entering Vietnam through Noi Bai International Airport, while performing isolation for foreigners entering or leaving 31 provinces and cities of China within 14 days, as well as performing environmental sanitation and disinfecting schools and offices. Hanoi Department of Health said that the local medical units have been able to deploy 3,342 isolated beds for the treatment of nCoV infected patients.

* On February 10, Thai Binh Province Centre for Disease Control received over 600,000 masks from three major garment companies to cope with the spread of nCoV.

Representatives from Hung Nhan Garment Company Limited (under Duc Giang Garment Corporation) hands over 200,000 masks to Thai Binh Province Disease Control Centre, February 10, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Mai Tu)

* On the same day, Lang Son City in Lang Son Province presented medical supplies to Chongzuo City, Guangxi (China), including masks, gloves and chemicals worth nearly VND170 million, to support the neighbouring city in dealing with the spread of nCoV.

According to the Ministry of Health’s infectious disease surveillance system, up to 11:30 am on February 11, the world has recorded 43,102 cases of nCoV infection, of which 42,638 cases and 1,016 deaths have been recorded in mainland China.

Vietnam has recorded 15 infection cases, six of who were successfully treated and discharged from hospital, while the country has 64 suspected cases under strict isolation and 789 cases that have been confirmed negative for the deadly virus.

A health official in Nam Po District, Dien Bien Province, distributes leaflets on nCoV prevention in Vietnamese and H’mong languages to local people in Nam Nga 2 Hamlet, Nam Chua Commune, Nam Po District. (Photo: NDO/Le Lan)