Vietnam reported 53 new locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 on Friday evening, bringing the total number of cases in the outbreak that began on Thursday to 150. The new cases bring Vietnam’s total to 1,705 COVID-19 patients, the Ministry of Health reported.
Within today (Jan 29), the country records 53 new cases in Hai Duong Province (47), Quang Ninh Province (03), Hanoi (02) and Bac Ninh city (02), VNExpress, local media reported.
After 84 new cases were detected in the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh, the health ministry massively ramped up testing and quarantine calls. State television quoted the coronavirus taskforce chief as saying preparations should be made for a scenario of up to 30,000 COVID-19 cases.
The health ministry has proposed halting international flights and banning large gatherings ahead of the Lunar New year holiday season, just two weeks away.
The government late on Thursday said it will build three field hospitals in Hai Duong province, without giving their sizes.
The health ministry said the case in Hanoi was linked to an airport worker in Quang Ninh province who tested positive on Thursday along with 83 others, the first locally transmitted cases for 55 days and Vietnam’s biggest single-day outbreak.
Early on Friday, authorities imposed a lockdown at a 27-floor apartment building in a central Hanoi district where the person who tested positive lives, state media reported. All residents in the block, home to hundreds of people, were asked to remain in their apartments.
“Hanoi faces a high risk of detecting new community transmissions,” media outlet VnExpress quoted Hanoi health department deputy director Hoang Duc Hanh as saying.
“Without good management, the capital could become a COVID-19 hot spot.”
Ministry of Health has released the details of locations visited by positive patients over the past 11 days. Contact the nearest medical authority for advice and support if you have been to these places.
… to be updated
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