Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

However, concluding the online meeting of National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control with 63 localities, Mr. Dam warned of prolonged epidemic and called for social distancing measures to be in place.

He also underscored the twin task of fighting COVID-19 and developing economy and urged for central level’s instructions for localities to implement.

Deputy Prime Minister Dam called on localities to classify levels of COVID-19 infection risks, saying: “Initially, we have classified localities of various levels of infection risks. We should closely watch the situation to accurately assess risks of each locality. It’s important to further classify the risks at the district, commune, ward, and hamlet level for appropriate response.” 

Vietnam has announced no new cases of the novel coronavirus by Friday with 21 patients discharged from hospital. All the patients who have just received their all-clear are Vietnamese. 

Vietnam has to date 268 people contracting COVID-19 with no deaths, while 198 patients have fully recovered from the deadly disease.  Doctors are treating the remaining 70 patients, with most of them in stable condition.