The Ministry of Health has urged residents to stay indoors to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection after 14 more cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.

Seven patients were reported in the evening of March 25 and seven more were made public in the morning of March 26, bringing the total number of infection cases in the country to 148.

Many of the patients returned to Vietnam from abroad, mostly from Europe and the US. There were signs of hospital acquired infection after several medical workers and patients have tested positive for the virus, health authorities warned.

Mobile loudspeakers are used to warn people of coronavirus infection risks

The Ministry of Health recommended that given the complicated developments of the outbreak, people should stay at home as much as possible, to minimize infection risks. In particular, people aged over 60 are advised to stay indoors all day long as they are most vulnerable to virus infection.

People are also advised to notify local authorities and the police that those, regardless of their nationality, have not isolated themselves since they entered Vietnam on March 8.

According to the ministry, localities must strictly abide by the authorities’ newly introduced regulations on the closure of entertainment and recreational venues. Lawbreakers must be subject to harsh punitive measures.

As of 09.00am on March 26, Vietnam had confirmed 148 COVID-19 cases, with 17 discharged from hospital following a full recovery. Hanoi topped the list of hardest-hit localities with 54 infections, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Phuc and Binh Thuan.