The following 10 days are likely to mark the height of the country’s fight against COVID-19, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has declared, adding that additional measures should be put in place to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Permanent Cabinet members examine ways to deal with the latest coronavirus outbreak,
stressing the next 10 days will be the height of the fight. 

Addressing permanent Cabinet members on August 7, PM Phuc demanded that further resources be mobilised and effectively utilised in an effort to contain the virus from spreading, especially the recent wave to hit Da Nang, the epicentre of the country’s latest outbreak.

“We have to make sure that machines, equipment, and biological products are in adequate supply. Medical workers must be on hand in all circumstances,” the PM told senior Cabinet members.

The Government chief went on to request that localities and sectors, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s two largest localities, move to adopt bold preventive measures aimed at dealing with the potential spread of the virus.

“The spirit here is to be drastic, not apathetic and neglectful. Any violations will be duly punished,” he emphasised. “Heads of provincial and municipal administrations and ministries will be held responsible for their actions before the Prime Minister.”

“Never before has the medical sector been faced such a great challenge,” said PM Phuc, noting that many leading specialists, doctors, and nurses have been mobilised to participate in the fight.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has recurred in the community after the first case was confirmed in Da Nang on July 25. The virus has since spread to 14 cities and provinces nationwide, with nearly 300 more cases being reported so far.

Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long confirmed the latest outbreak has spread quickly from hospitals to the community through contact occurring between patients and caretakers.

Most notably, he said many clusters of infections within a family have been detected, while the new strain of the virus has also been found in other places such as bus stations, schools, companies, and medical centres. 

“As an extended family is a popular model in Vietnam, elderly people and children are easily susceptible to virus infection,” Acting Minister of Health Long noted, quoting statistics which indicate that the current rate of child infection for COVID-19 is 2.7%, while the rate among elderly people aged over 60 is 30.6%.

As of 6 a.m. on August 7, Vietnam had recorded 750 COVID-19 cases, including 10 fatalities.