Hanoi (VNA) - Social distancing measures have proven effective inVietnam’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with only eight new casesreported in the week of April 13-19, the National Steering Committee forCOVID-19 Prevention and Control announced on April 20.

Vietnam is controlling thedisease well, the committee said, with no new cases recorded from April 17 to 19.

The latent risk of infection remains,however, and health offices, local authorities, and people must continue to implementpreventive measures.

Any loosening of social distancingmeasures should be carried out gradually and in accordance with the local situation,while socio-economic development goals are to also be soundly implemented, the SteeringCommittee emphasised.

Regarding the 188th patient, who tested positive after being discharged from hospital, Deputy Ministerof Health Nguyen Truong Son said she had tested negative twice and was quarantined at her home in Hanoi’s Thuong Tin district. She exhibited a coughand shortness of breath on April 17 and tested positive for the virus. She was hospitalised at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases a day later. On themorning of April 19, the result of her test using the Real-time PRC method wasnegative. Her sample will be tested one more time on April 20, Son added.

He also said that the ministryhas set up two inspection teams to supervise all of its hospitals. Healthclinics, meanwhile, have set up separate areas to cater to patients and allhealth workers have been equipped with protective gear.

The Steering Committee had directedthe ministry to continue monitoring regulations relating to the reception of peopleat health clinics.

Local authorities have been requestedto issue supplementary regulations based on the guidance from the health sector,with the Chair of provincial people’s committees to be responsible for infectionsat health clinics.

The Steering Committee also askedthe Ministry of Industry and Trade to prepare more thorough instructions for businessoperations.

Discussing safe travel,Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan said the ministry will review existingguidance on ensuring safety on flights and in inter-provincial buses and taxis,and will update preventive measures in accordance with instructions from the healthsector.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy said the ministry will share updatedpreventive measures with tour guides, travel agents, hotels, and tourism serviceproviders.

Steering Committee members havesuggested stepping up the application of information technology in monitoring compliancewith COVID-19 prevention and control regulations.

It has asked ministries,sectors, and localities to remain vigilant and tackle the virus so that productionand business may develop once again./.