No new COVID-19 case reported over last 24 hours

For the first time since July 25, Viet Nam reports no new COVID-19 case in 24 hours

Of the patient tally, 690 are imported cases due to influx of citizen repatriation flights. Viet Nam has organized 113 flights to bring home about 32,008 citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19.

The country entered the third phase of COVID-19 containment since July 25 when first community transmitted case was confirmed in Da Nang after 99 days without a single community infection case. Since then 550 cases linked to the COVID-19 cluster in Da Nang have been confirmed.

Speaking at a meeting on COVID-19 response on August 27, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said “By now, Viet Nam has well controlled the COVID-19 pandemic as the authorities have demonstrated the highest responsibility in dealing with newly-emerged clusters.”

The number of new cases tends to fall over the past weeks – an indication of the effectiveness of the country’s containment measures.

Despite the encouraging signals, the Government chief still ordered authorities, especially the health sector to avoid subjectivity and maintain high alert levels in order to prevent transmission of the virus into communities, considering it as an urgent task.

Phuc urged local leaders to issue punitive sanctions against those who intentionally violate regulations on COVID-19 responses while having detailed plans to foster economic activities.

Localities, especially border provinces must cooperate closely with the Ministry of National Defense to control the borders well in order to prevent illegal entrants.

Phuc called on smart phone users to download Bluezone app - a domestically developed contact-tracing mobile app to alert people who have interacted with COVID-19 patients, adding there have been more than 25 million downloads.

He also urged subordinate levels to review and further simplify procedures, especially visa issuance, for foreign experts and investors to enter the country.

By Quang Minh