COVID-19: One new case detected in Hanoi, total increases to 994

On August 13, the patient was admitted to the Hepatobiliary Department of Hospital E in Hanoi and was later transferred to the Department of Tropical Diseases after his CT scan result reported that he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

His sample sent to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology was possitve for the SARS-CoV-2 virus on August 19. The patient is being in isolation to receive treatment at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Dong Anh district of Hanoi.

There have been 654 community transmission cases, including 514 confirmed since July 25 which are linked to Da Nang, the country’s major COVID-19 outbreak spot.

One day earlier, a total of 15 COVID-19 patients were declared fully recovered from the disease, taking the overall number of recoveries to 535.

Among 459 cases in treatment, 98 have had negative test results for the first time or several times.

As of 18 hours of the day, Vietnam’s infection count stands at 994, of which 25 have died of various pre-existing comorbidities and COVID-19 complications.

Over 83,640 people are being put in quarantine, including more than 20,290 at quarantine facilities, 1,887 at hospitals and the rest at home.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has also ordered localities across the nation to improve their testing capacity, and be fully prepared for epidemic prevention work.

According to Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, outbreaks in Da Nang, Quang Nam and some other localities are being brought under stricter control, however, the epidemic is anticipated to drag out in the time ahead.

There are likely to be clusters of community infections in the coming time, Long warned, and demanded that all localities remain on high alert to detect new cases, and zone off in a timely manner. The sooner fresh infections are detected the more effective measures to contain the pandemic will be, he added.

Elsewhere, on the afternoon of August 19, Da Nang removed a lockdown on Hai Chau General Hospital after 14 days of isolation, making it possible for more than 300 people to return home after the quarantine period.