Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is now presiding over a meeting to discuss on the COVID-19 situation and measures to contain the pandemic. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presides over a meeting
on COVID-19 responses on February 15, 2021. Photo: VGP

Participants at the meeting include members of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and leaders of several ministries and 26 localities.

In his opening remarks, the Government chief spoke highly of the efforts made by ministries, especially the Ministry of Health and authorities of the pandemic-hit cities and provinces in containing the pandemic.

However, the situation remains complicated, stressed PM Phuc.

He urged the participants to discuss stronger measures to effectively manage the pandemic.

Since January 25, Viet Nam confirmed 642 local infection cases of COVID-19 in 13 provinces and cities.

Hai Duong is the hardest hit locality with 465 cases, followed by Quang Ninh (59), HCMC (36), Ha Noi (32), Gia Lai (27), Binh Duong (six), Bac Ninh (five), Dien Bien (three), Hung Yen (three), Hoa Binh (two), Bac Giang (two), Hai Phong (one), and Ha Giang (one).

As reported this morning, a deceased Japanese man who died at a hotel in Ha Noi was confirmed positive for COVID-19, raising the national patient tally to 2,229.

Later the same day, Ha Noi Department of Health reported two more local infection cases who had attended a meeting with the aforesaid man.

One of them is a Japanese national aged 43 and the other is a 24-year-old Vietnamese woman.

Review of Viet Nam's measures to fight COVID-19