(VOVWORLD) - Since a new case of COVID-19 was reported in Đà Nẵng on July 25, the epidemic is at risk of spreading nationwide. Ministries, sectors, and localities have worked closely to contain outbreaks and implement social distancing, raising the fight against the epidemic to a new level, with as strong a determination as fighting an enemy.
 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
At an online national meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc outlined several ways to prevent and contain COVID-19, particularly in Da Nang, now Vietnam’s COVID-19 hot spot. The Prime Minister said the epidemic could become widespread without prompt measures. He urged vigilance and engagement on the part of the whole political system, calling this fight a pivotal political task.
He stressed the need to strengthen the health system, increase border control, and pay particular attention to seriously sick patients to reduce the mortality rate. Mr. Phuc said: "We need to be speedy and resolute, focusing all available resources on dealing with the outbreaks in Da Nang, Quang Nam, and other localities. We need to accelerate tracing, implement prompt quarantine measures, expand testing, and closely monitor everyone who has had contact with COVID-19 patients, is suspected to be infected, or has recently returned from an epidemic-hit area. It’s important to get people to make health declarations and monitor anyone showing symptoms such as coughing or fever."
The Prime Minister asked the public to stay calm, prepared, and resolved to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 while maintaining production in places where social distancing has not been imposed. "Under the motto “fighting the disease like fighting an enemy”, we have to raise the fight against COVID-19 to a new level to prevent it from spreading. Each citizen should be a soldier and each house, each street, and each village should be a fortress against the disease. We need to protect ourselves, our family, and our locality. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to raise awareness about protecting health by wearing a facemask, practicing social distancing, and eating a healthy diet. We need to strengthen these measures in epidemic-hit areas. People, particularly the elderly and people with underlying diseases, need to follow all health regulations," said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister asked people to download the Bluezone tracing app, and conduct learning, medical examinations, and public services online. He asked people not to panic and to trust in the disease prevention measures taken by the government and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.