Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the health sector to pool all resources to contain the fresh coronavirus outbreak and to ensure no cross-infection occurs in health facilities. 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with Health Ministry leaders in Hanoi on Feb. 9
(Photo: VGP).

The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving in a complicated manner and we remain highly vigilant, Phuc told healthcare workers at a meeting on February 9, two days ahead of the 7-day break of the traditional lunar New Year Festival.

He acknowledged the health sector’s significant contribution to the country’s ongoing fight against the virus, noting the sacrifices many healthcare workers have made for the sake of public health.

“As far as I know there are people who haven’t returned home for family reunion during the year. Many people have put aside their own affairs to join the fight. Many medical school students have volunteered to go to hotspots and take risks,” he said.

He asked the health sector to provide sufficient supplies for healthcare workers to ensure their safety at the highest level and prevent cross-infection at health facilities where doctors and nurses are most vulnerable to virus infection.

He also announced that the government will provide daily allowance for those who are on duty at concentrated quarantine facilities and health facilities during the lunar New Year holiday.

The virus has spread to 13 cities and provinces across the country since it recurred late last month. As many as 484 cases have been confirmed, including 327 cases in Hai Duong province alone, the country’s biggest coronavirus hotspot.

Despite the fresh outbreak being brought under control in Hai Duong, cases have been detected sporadically in other localities. Notably, Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest city in Vietnam, is tightening preventive measures after 29 cases were recorded on February 7-8.