Behaviour change a must to safely live with COVID-19: Deputy PM

Vietnam was among the first countries in the world to successfully isolate and culture the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – As Vietnam has entered the “new normal” phase, people must change their behaviours to safely live with COVID-19, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam told a meeting in Hanoi on October 18.

The meeting was held by the Ministry of Science and Technology to discuss impacts of COVID-19 on the socio-economic development and what the science and technology sector has done to support the COVID-19 fight, as well as to propose tech solutions for issues arising in the “new normal.”

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam. (Photo: VNA)

The Deputy PM highly appreciated the contributions made by scientists across Vietnam to the pandemic fight, noting drugs and vaccine remain key to the current COVID-19 prevention and control.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said the science and technology sector has conducted research and developed products to assist the country’s COVID-19 response since the outset of the pandemic.

Vietnam was among the first countries in the world to successfully isolate and culture the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, he said, adding that the Ministry of Science and Technology has also coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to launch a digital knowledge system and information team for rapid response to the COVID-19 situation.

COVID-19 test kit co-developed by Viet A Company and the Military Medical Academy. (Photo: VNA)

During the meeting, scientists and specialists put forward various solutions to contain the COVID-19 in the coming time, several of which are AI-based solutions for helping with the treatment of COVID-19 patients at home. Some participants suggested mechanisms to engage private healthcare providers in COVID-19 fight.

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said his ministry plans to focus on developing home-grown vaccines and medicine against COVID-19 while implementing the national programme on human vaccine R&D by 2030./.

VNA