More COVID-19 patients test negative for coronavirus

Vietnam has recorded 169 confirmed cases so far, with 20 patients who have recovered and been discharged, including 17 patients who were discharged early this year and three newly discharged yesterday.

Of the remaining 149 patients receiving isolation treatment at 19 health facilities nationwide, most of them are in stable health, with 51 having tested negative for the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, from 1-4 times.

Seven patients have provided their three consecutive negative tests (patients No. 45, 53, 64, 65, 66, 79, and 90 are being treated at the Cu Chi field hospital in Ho Chi Minh City) and they are expected to be discharged on March 29 and 30 before being transferred to other facilities for further health monitoring.

On Friday afternoon, the People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City convened an extraordinary session and passed a decision on approving a financial package worth VND2.75 trillion (US$120 million) for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic and supporting labourers affected by the epidemic.

On the same day, the Hanoi People's Committee issued Document No. 1047/UBND-KGVX on implementing multiple measures during the peak of the COVID-19 prevention and control campaign in the capital city. The city authorities requested to limit crowds, following the direction of the Government from 0:00 on March 28 until the end of April 15, as well as the closure and suspension of all business services, except for those offering essential goods, medicine, health care, banking, petrol and gas.

Also, on Friday, the People's Committee of Da Nang City took similar actions to Hanoi, as it issued Document No. 1940/UBND-VHXH regarding the implementation of the Prime Minister's Directive No. 15/CT-TTg on stepping up measures to boost COVID-19 prevention and control.

On Friday morning, the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee in Phu Quoc District (Kien Giang Province) granted the certificates of medical isolation completion for 50 people who were traveling on the same flight and had direct contact with the 54th patient (Latvian nationality).

Also, on March 27, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee continued to receive donations, worth dozens of billions of VND, as well as medical equipment and supplies from relevant units, agencies and business to support the COVID-19 response efforts nationwide.

Facing the complicated situation of the epidemic, on March 27, a range of localities throughout the country allowed local students to extend their break from school, while intensifying online learning to prevent the risk of spreading the disease. In particular, under the direction of Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung, students at all levels in the capital city will remain absent from school until the end of April 15.