Vietnam has recorded no new coronavirus cases over 12 hours for the first time since the virus recurred on January 27, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control said in its update on February 5 morning.

Swift contact tracing and massive testing are being stepped up to early
detect suspect cases in the community.

As many as 375 cases have been detected in the community in 10 cities and provinces following the emergence of the virus in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces more than a week ago.

The fresh outbreak in Hai Duong, the country’s biggest coronavirus hotspot, seems to be initially brought under control, according to Pham Xuan Thang, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee in an interview with local media outlets.

Hai Duong alone has confirmed 278 cases, mostly in Chi Linh city (233) and Kinh Mon district. 37 cases were announced on February 4, but they were detected while staying in a quarantine facility, posing no risk to the community, said Thang.

Like other epidemic-ravaged localities, Hai Duong is stepping up contact tracing to early detect and isolate suspect cases in order to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

While making a fact-finding trip to Quang Ba flower market in Hanoi capital on February 4, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam called on local people to fully observe regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control, including mask coverings, to keep the virus at bay.

According to Dam, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, more efforts are needed to stop the virus further spreading in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi has so far recorded 22 cases, and HCM City has registered just one case.

Elsewhere, the Ministry of Health has dispatched a contingent of specialists to Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands which has no experience in COVID-19 control and a limited health capacity.

Gia Lai is considered a new coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam as more than 10 cases have been reported in the locality.