No new COVID-19 cases in community for 33 days

A quarantined boy has temperature checked (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam recorded no new COVID-19 cases from 6am-6pm on May 19, marking 33 days without transmission in the community, reported the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Accordingly, the total infections remain at 324, including 184 imported cases.

The same day, patient No.92 was given the all clear. Earlier, he was found to be positive again after being discharged from hospital on April 14.

The patient will remain under quarantine at the Ho Chi Minh Hospital for Tropical Diseases for the next 14 days.

The number of recoveries is now 284.

A total of 11,326 who had close contacts with patients or entered from COVID-19-hit areas are being quarantined at present, 302 of them in hospitals, 8,929 in other concentrated quarantine establishments and 2,095 at homes.

From May 18-19, permanent Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long attended the online meeting of the 73rd World Health Assembly, which focused its discussions on response to COVID-19.

Speaking at the event, Long said with high political determination, the Vietnamese Government has taken concerted and flexible measures to fight the pandemic.

Over the past time, Vietnam has effectively and consistently followed the four strategies, which are prevention, detection, quarantine and elimination of the epidemic with the active involvement of local authorities and the public, he said.

The official said with pride that Vietnam has so far controlled well the spread of the epidemic with zero death.

He stressed that Vietnam has actively shared information and experience in the field with the World Health Organisation and other countries, ensured information transparency in accordance with the International Health Regulations.

Vietnam highly values the WHO’s technical support in COVID-19 prevention and control via issuing recommendations and documents related to the treatment and control of infections, tests, as well as the organisation of online meetings to share information and experience, he said, adding that Vietnam calls on countries to stay united to fight the common enemy COVID-19, further strengthen dialogue mechanisms to deal with common challenges, for the sake of peace and stability in the world.

Long said it is time for countries to review and consolidate their capabilities in accordance with 2005 IRH, including risk review and control policies, labs, infection prevention and control, among others./.