Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Dam, who is also Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, said the World Health Organisation has forecast that the pandemic could last until the end of 2021 due to the unavailability of vaccines.
With the Party’s sound leadership, the PM and Government’s determination and the close collaboration between the steering committee and ministries, agencies and localities, Vietnam promptly and effectively localised affected areas, helping to achieve the dual goal of fighting the pandemic and ensuring economic growth.
The country also stepped up cooperation with foreign experts and organisations in studying the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, sharing treatment therapies and offering mutual support, he said.
After four COVID-19 transmission risks were defined in Vietnam, the map of safe living with COVID-19 at www.antoancovid.vn was launched on October 1, which will be firstly used at schools and medical establishments to provide updated information about the disease.
Later, the map will be widely used in lodging facilities, offices, factories, supermarkets and public transport vehicles.
The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Information and Communications to complete the tool.
The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Health to work on the national electronic health records to monitor the health of the elderly, patients with outlying diseases and those at high risk of COVID-19 infection, as well as to step up remote health check-ups and treatment.
Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long stated that Vietnam has experienced two waves of COVID-19 outbreaks, in March and July, with 1,096 infections and 35 deaths. The country has so far gone through 30 consecutive days without local transmissions and 1,020 patients have been given the all-clear from the virus.
As the upcoming winter-spring climate is conducive to the spread of the virus, he urged localities and people to stay vigilant, especially in closely controlling illegal entry at border gates.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Tran Don directed units and localities to ensure security and order, while keeping track of entries to Vietnam to minimise transmission risks in the community.
