The Vietnamese Ministry of Health reported that 1,737 people had been tested negative for the COVID-19 in Viet Nam as of 7pm on Monday. 

 The ministry also said 75 suspected cases are being quarantined to prevent spread of the virus to communities, down by 40 from Sunday.

In addition, the nation is monitoring 13,949 people due to close links with suspected cases and or coming from COVID-19 affected areas, an increase of 3,860 from a day earlier, according to the ministry.

Though no new infection has been reported since February 13, the Government of Viet Nam still considers the epidemic combat its top priority.

At a meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said quarantine is the best solution now amid rising infections in several countries.

The Government has decided to halt visa-waiver program for citizens from South Korea and Italy in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus to Viet Nam./.