Vietnam goes 30 straight days without locally-transmitted coronavirus infections

No new Covid-19 case was confirmed in Vietnam on October 2, marking a streak of 30 days without community transmission after the resurgence of the pandemic, according to the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

Vietnam’s first community transmission case of the second wave was reported in the beach city of Danang when Patient No.416 tested positive on July 25 with unknown source of infection.

Vietnam is now focusing on preventing all sources of transmission from incoming people. Illustrative photo

As of October 2 evening, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 1,096 cases of Covid-19. However, 1,018 of the patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. The 39 remaining are now in a stable condition. The latest cases were all imported and quarantined upon arrival. The pandemic has so far caused 35 deaths in the Southeast Asian country.

Around 15,013 people who were exposed to coronavirus carriers or came from pandemic-hit areas are now under medical monitoring or quarantine.

Vietnam is now focusing on preventing all sources of transmission from incoming people. But to facilitate the resumption of economic activities, the country has removed the regulation on mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreign experts, investors, managers, and diplomats entering the country for short term visit. However, they must comply with all other safety screening measures and must follow their reported itinerary. Their stay could be extended to over 14 days provided they test negative for the virus.

At a meeting with the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control in May, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Vietnam Kidong Park praised Vietnam’s quick and effective response to the pandemic.

He said Vietnam kept itself updated with Covid-19 developments, shared information transparently and applied measures quickly.