All bus routes in Hanoi have resumed operations on May 4. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The pandemic is still raging complicatedly worldwide, with the numbers of infections and deaths are increasing rapidly in many countries. So far, over 4.5 million people have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 around the world, with more than 330,000 having died.
Vietnam has gone through 30 straight days without community transmission of COVID-19. The country's remarkable achievements in the fight against the pandemic have been recognised and highly applauded by the world.
Vietnam has so far recorded 314 infection cases of COVID-19, without fatalities. 260 patients have fully recovered.
From 0:00 on May 14, Hanoi officially removed the lockdown at Dong Cuu village, Dung Tien commune in Hanoi's outlying district of Thuong Tin. As such, there is no outbreak of locally-transmitted COVID-19 in Vietnam.
As of May 16, Vietnam has gone through 30 straight days without new infection cases of COVID-19 in community.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasised that although facing many difficulties and challenges in the context of complicated and unpredictable developments of COVID-19, Vietnam has basically contained the spread of the disease in community thanks to the drastic and effective direction of the Government, and the consensus and high determination of the entire political system and people.
The success in the fight against the disease has affirmed the determination and unity in actions of the entire Party and army, and the support of people nationwide in the work.
However, Government members forecast that Vietnam will continue to face many difficulties and challenges in the time to come, especially in the context of the unpredictable and complicated developments of COVID-19 in the world, requiring all sectors and localities to remain vigilant at all times, in order to effectively responding to the pandemic.
“By this time, Vietnam has basically repelled the pandemic but we must remain absolutely vigilant, and determined, towards preventing COVID-19 re-outbreak again in the country”, said Prime Minister Phuc.
He underlined the need now to focus on fostering production and business activities, aiming to further promote economic growth and ensure jobs for the people.
According to Standing Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, the country has entered a new period in preventing the disease.
Long said nearly 2,000 COVID-19 tests are conducted per day, and the country has so far conducted 275,000 tests, confirming 288 cases positive for COVID-19, mainly at quarantine facilities. He added that the risk of infection in community in Vietnam is rather low.
However, Vietnam continues to implement measures to thoroughly prevent external sources of infection. All people entering the country must be quarantined for 14 days, had have samples taken for testing twice.
The system of surveillance and early detection in community has been maintaining operating for quickly zoning and stamping out any new outbreak immediately, Long said.
The capacity to cope with the pandemic, especially that of medical staff in caring for and treating COVID-19 patients at all levels, continues to be strengthened.
Vietnam has actively produced medical supplies, medicine and ventilators, while the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has concentrated on coordinating operation of ministries, sectors and localities in the fight against the disease, Long stressed.
Reliable destination for investors
International media recently highlighted Vietnam’s success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that it helped the country become a reliable destination for investors.
WHO Representative in Vietnam Ki-dong Park said he was impressed by the drastic measures and early actions that Vietnam had taken over the recent past.
However, he also warned that as there is no medicine specialised in COVID-19 treatment or a vaccine, and the pandemic is forecast to linger, Vietnam needs to stay vigilant and keep a close watch on the situation. Besides, although Vietnam doesn’t have infected cases in the community, other countries in the region and the world are still struggling with the pandemic.
Risks of community infection still exist, he said, recommending it gear up for new cases and even a “new wave” of infections so as to actively control the pandemic like when the “first wave” occurred.
In the time ahead, WHO will continue working closely with the Government, the national steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, and the Health Ministry of Vietnam to exchange information, update technical guidelines, and share Vietnam’s experience with the international community, Park said./.
