A worker sprays disinfectant at a classroom of the Viet Duc High School in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem district on February 2 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has reported no new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) sinceFebruary 13, heard at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19Prevention and Control in Hanoi on February 21.
Healthcarefacilities at the district level and higher are capable oftreating patients infected with COVID-19.
As of February 21 afternoon, 15 of the 16 patients with COVID-19 inVietnam had been cured and discharged from hospital. The 15th case, a VietnameseAmerican, at HCM City’s Tropical Diseases Hospital repeatedly tested negativefrom February 12 – 17 and was discharged on February 21.
Vietnam stillhas 28 suspected cases and nearly 5,650 people in close contact with those who may have the virus or thosereturning from epidemic areas. All of them are under quarantine.
By February 21 noon, there are 76,727 confirmed cases in 29 countries andterritories worldwide and the number of deaths reached 2,247. In China alone,75,465 cases have been reported with 2,236 deaths.
New cases may be reported in the coming time, but with the risingtemperature and effective treatment plans in place, Vietnam is capable ofcontaining the outbreak and ensuring safety for economic and cultural events,said Tran Dac Phu, former director of the Health Ministry’s Preventive Health Department.
Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung noted the WorldHealth Organisation (WHO), international organisations and diplomatic corpshave recommended that in the current situation, Vietnam can soon think aboutreopening schools.
DeputyMinister of Education and Training Nguyen Huu Do said the ministry isconsidering to allow students to go back to school starting from March 2, giventhat longer shutdown would causing difficulties for teaching and learning inthis 2019-2020 academic year.
The ministrywill accelerate communication campaigns to educate students on how to stay safeduring the COVID-19 outbreak, Do added.
He moved on tosay that the ministry will work with the People’s Committees of HCM City andHanoi on February 22 to discuss HCM City’s proposal to extend school breakuntil the end of March./.
VNA
