The new patients brought the total number of infections in Vietnam to 2,791, said the Ministry of Health (MoH).
According to the MoH’s Medical Service Administration, up to 2,475 patients were given the all-clear from coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, while the death toll was still kept at 35.
Among active patients undergoing treatment at medical establishments nationwide, 11 tested negative to the virus once, 16 twice and 18 thrice.
As many as 40,150 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or entered Vietnam from pandemic-hit regions are currently quarantined across the country, including 531 in hospitals, 24,361 in state-designated establishments and 15,258 at their homes or residences.
The Health Ministry continued to urge all people to follow the 5K motto – Khau trang (wearing facemask) – Khu khuan (disinfecting) – Khoang cach (keeping distance) – Khong tu tap (no gathering) – Khai bao y te (making medical declaration), in order to live safely amid the pandemic.
Australia, UNICEF join hands to aid COVID-19 vaccine delivery in Vietnam
The Australian Embassy in Hanoi and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced a AUD13.5 million package to support the introduction and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines doses in Vietnam.
The Australia-UNICEF partnership is expected to provide a unique and holistic package that will assist Vietnam across a range of areas vital to the successful delivery of a mass immunisation programme against COVID-19, according to a UNICEF press release published on April 19.
“Our support will help Vietnam purchase cold chain equipment to store and transport vaccine doses to where they are needed around the country, provide training courses and materials to ensure Vietnam’s health workers and officials are ready, and assist with the development of immunisation plans in Vietnam’s remote provinces to ensure equitable and uniform vaccine coverage”, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie.
“Introducing a new vaccine especially for COVID-19 is a colossal task for any government with many important steps involved. Thanks to the partnership with the Government of Australia, UNICEF is committed to work with the MoH and other partners to support the introduction and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Vietnam,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam.
The programme will support Vietnam to reach the prioritised 20% of population by the end of 2022 and set the foundation necessary for immunising the remainder of the population as vaccines are rolled out nationwide.
Funding for the programme is drawn from Australia’s AUD523.2 million Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative, as well as from the nation’s bilateral development cooperation programme with Vietnam.
In total, Australia has committed AUD40 million over three years to support Vietnam’s vaccine procurement and delivery efforts.
