Gov't chief urges Da Nang to continue accelerating contract tracing

The Government chief tasked the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries, agencies and localities to uphold their responsibility and engage all the political system in containing the outbreak.

Citizens are encouraged to stay vigilant and protect themselves by wearing facemask at public places and on public transport means, avoiding large gatherings, washing hands regularly with soap or sanitizer.

The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and localities have to ensure sufficient capacity of the health system, especially medical supplies and equipment for massive testing, especially in Da Nang and other localities that have confirmed community-transmitted cases of Covid-19.

Viet Nam confirmed the first case of Covid-19 community transmission, a 57-year old resident of Da Nang, on Saturday, ending the 99-day streak of no community infection.

Over the past five days, the country reported 34 community infection cases, including 28 in Da Nang, three in Quang Ngai while Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, and Dak Lak having one each.

Authorities are still working to search for the source of infection after experts said this is a new and more infectious Coronavirus strain that came from outside of Viet Nam.

As of 6:10 on Wednesday, the patient tally reached 450, of whom 369 have been freed of the virus, according to the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control./.

By Quang Minh