Recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Vietnam under control: WHO representative

World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam Kidong Park (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – It appears that Vietnam has been able to put the recent COVID-19 outbreaks under control, which started in the central city of Da Nang in late July, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam Kidong Park has said.

In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, he named the factors that have contributed to this result.

The first is the rapid activation of the response system. After detecting the first case, Vietnam quickly activated its rapid response systems nationwide. Therefore, the country was able to detect and isolate suspected cases and those having close contact with travellers returning from pandemic-hit areas quickly, curbing the further spread of the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.

The health system capacity on the ground was rapidly scaled up. The Vietnamese Government promptly deployed a specialised team of experts in outbreak investigation, laboratory and clinical management. With this move, the country was able to provide high quality public health and clinical care to patients and minimise the loss of lives.

Park also spoke highly of Vietnam’s continued transparent information sharing and communications of risk messages. Accordingly, most people closely complied with guidelines by health authorities, attributable to contain the spread of the virus.

The Government’s strong leadership at all levels and high-level commitment have been clearly demonstrated since the start of the outbreak, he noted. In the same way, Vietnamese people have been doing their part to support the Government in protecting themselves and their loved one.

The successful control over the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam so far reflects these collective efforts, the WHO official affirmed.

Regarding the development of vaccines in Vietnam, he said WHO welcomes all vaccine development programmes around the world, including Vietnam.

As of September 8, there had been 179 COVID-19 candidate vaccines under development, including those in Vietnam. Of which, 34 are at clinical evaluation stage, he said.

WHO is working with partners across the world to facilitate research and development, approval, mass production and equitable distribution of effective and safe vaccines.

He said that Vietnam can gain access to COVID-19 vaccine via internationally coordinated aid through COVAX facility mechanism co-led by WHO, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); procurement through a bilateral deal; or its own development.

He emphasised that the recent COVID-19 outbreaks remind people that COVID-19 is far from over and everyone should remain vigilant.

WHO is working with the Ministry of Health to promote “safe coexistent with COVID-19”, which aims to achieve dual goals of outbreak management and economic recovery.

The WHO official advised people to continue closely following heath guidelines, such as practicing hand hygiene and keeping away from crowded places with many people./.