The capital city of Hanoi has decided to establish 10 quick COVID-19 testing stations around Bach Mai hospital to carry out mass testing after a coronavirus outbreak occurred several days ago, according to Hanoi Mayor Nguyen Duc Chung.

Medical staff at Bach Mai Hospital are equipped with protective gear

Rapid test kits made by the Republic of Korea will be used and they will show results within 10 minutes using blood samples, Chung said on March 30.

The Hanoi Center for Disease Control received 5,000 such test kits from the Ministry of Health on March 29, to conduct the testing immediately.

Chung warned against a high risk of community infection after the first coronavirus infections at Bach Mai hospital – one of the largest in Vietnam - were detected a week ago.

The number of confirmed cases linked to the hospital has to date increased to 25 and it is expected to keep rising as more than 5,000 patients and their relatives have been sent to their homes in northern and central provinces.

Mass testing will help early detect and quarantine suspected cases to rein in infection sources, said the Mayor.

Testing begins on March 31, with priority given to those visiting the hospital recently and those living nearby.