Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has sufficientcapability, resources and experience to control the COVID-19 outbreak, PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed at a meeting held on March 9 in response tocomplex developments of the disease in the country.

According to the national steering committee forCOVID-19 prevention and control, 106,355 infection cases have been reportedaround the world, including 3,600 deaths, in 102 countries and territories.There are more than 1,000 new cases each day, and the number could riseslightly in the next few days.

In Vietnam, after no new cases were recorded in22 days, the 17th case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in Hanoi on March6. After that, some persons having close contact with this case were tested positivefor the virus that causes COVID-19. Also on March 6, another case was reportedat a concentrated quarantine centre in Ninh Binh province.

As of 8pm of March 8, Vietnam had confirmed 30 infectioncases, including 16 already recovering. The 14 latest cases, including fiveVietnamese and nine foreigners, have been put in quarantine.

Of the five Vietnamese patients, two boardedflight VN0054, which landed at Noi Bai International Airport at 4:30am of March2; two contracted the virus from the 17th case, who was also on that flight;and one returned from the Republic of Korea.

Among the 201 passengers on flight VN0054,relevant agencies have got information about the places of residence and travelhistory of 156 people. Information related to the rest is being updated, thenational steering committee said.

The committee has asked authorities of provincesand cities to quarantine the passengers on flight VN0054, it said, adding thatit has made a list of people having close contact with the two infectedVietnamese on that flight.

At the meeting between the Cabinet’s permanentmembers and the committee, PM Phuc repeated the viewpoint of “fighting thedisease is like fighting an enemy”, noting the Government always has a goodgrasp of the situation and prepare detailed plans of action to protect people’shealth even at the expense of economic benefits.

The Government is not passive in the battle toprotect people’s health, he affirmed, calling on the public to improve theirmedical knowledge to protect themselves.

He requested personnel and infrastructureconditions be geared up in a timely manner, the capacity of healthcareestablishments from the central to grassroots levels be enhanced, and thespread of the disease be minimised.

Praising efforts by ministries, sectors,localities and medical workers in swiftly dealing with the 17th infection case,the PM said it is necessary to understand right, act right, stay calm but notbe negligent or subjective so as to prevent the disease from spreading.

He also asked customs, border guard and bordergate security forces, as well as airports, to control entry into the countrymore carefully and ensure safety for tourism activities.

Notably, the Government leader ordered stricthandling of persons lying in or dodging health declaration. He also stressedthe need to publicise information about the COVID-19 outbreak in a timelymanner and ensure the supply of food and essential products for people.

Additionally, the PM shared the view thatmeetings and gatherings should be limited while information technology shouldbe applied more strongly to the organisation of meetings, studying and healthdeclaration.

He also agreed with the national steering committeethat ministries, sectors and localities should suspend foreign trips, exceptfor special cases allowed by the PM.

Deputy Prime Minister and head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control Vu Duc Dam on March 8 requested compulsory health declarations for all citizens in the country to start on March 10 at the latest./.