Rather than extensive testing like the RoK and Singapore, Vietnam focuses on tracing possible contacts with infection cases (Source: VNA) Paris (VNA) – France’s daily newspaper Le Figaro ran an article onApril 19 explaining how Vietnam has limited the spread of the novel coronavirusSARS-CoV-2 in the community.
With 268 infections,including 198 fully recovering and zero fatality, Vietnam, which borders China, where the COVID-19 originated, has become an example in the fight againstthe pandemic for Western countries, the article said.
It quoted KidongPark, the World Health Organisation representative in Vietnam, in his interviewgranted to the “Journal du dimanche” newspaper, as saying that right after thefirst cases reported in China, Vietnam has stayed vigilant to this threat.
In mid-January, acommittee on disease response was established, gathering representatives ofrelevant ministries and sectors, doctors and scientists to make forecasts on the disease outbreak.
In a meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also declared a “war” against theCOVID-19 and required all people to “fight the disease like fighting the enemy”.
Compared to otherAsian nations like the Republic of Korea and Singapore, Vietnam does not have enoughfinancial resources to combat the pandemic. Therefore, the 94-million-peoplenation has conducted a “low-cost” strategy by focusing on massive quarantineand tracing of all possible contacts with infections (known as F1, F2, F3 andF4), the article stressed.
It said that Vietnamhas ordered a compulsory 14-day quarantine period for all people entering thecountry, suspended all flights linking to China right after it recorded thefirst case, and tightened the control over the 1,000km land border line,
The closure of allschools after the lunar New Year holiday in late January, and locals’ face mask wearing when going out are also among measures taken by the country, itadded.
The article alsoaffirmed that these measures have been implemented effectively thanks to theabidance of the inhabitants and their support for the Government’s efforts./.
VNA
