Weekly COVID-19 update: More recoveries reported, fines applied

All of the newly-infected cases are Vietnamese returnees of whom one were repatriated from Japan, one from the U.S., seven from Russia, eight from Germany, six from Canada, two from the UK, and one from the Philippines.

Meanwhile, 39 patients were declared free of the virus over the past week, raising the total number of recoveries to 1,142. 

Of the current 165 active patients still under treatment, 11 have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 at least once; nine twice and five others thrice. None of them are in critical health conditions.

The number of fatalities stood at 35 deaths, including 31 in Da Nang, 3 in Quang Nam and 1 in Quang Tri.

A total of 8,475 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or returning from pandemic-hit areas are under health monitoring nationwide including 68 at hospitals; 8,108 at quarantine camps, and 299 at places of residence.

Viet Nam has entered the 82th consecutive day without a single domestic infection of Covid-19 as of 7:00 am on November 16, 2020.

The two biggest cities, Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City reported no community-transmitted case of COVID-19 over the past 97 and 114 days, respectively.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc directed authorities in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City to enforce mandatory face mask rules in public places and sternly penalize the violators.

The two biggest cities began to apply fines of between VND 1-3 million (US$43 – US$130) to those who violate the pandemic prevention measures since November 15.

As Viet Nam is approaching winter, a favorable condition for virus spread, the Government chief called on all sectors, authorities at all levels, and the public to identify the risks and remain vigilant against the pandemic. 

A number of regional and global news agencies have quoted data from international research institutes and organizations as saying that Viet Nam’s economy is on track to grow despite the impact of COVID-19.

The UK’s Globaldata.com affirmed that Viet Nam is one of a few countries to have controlled the pandemic to a certain degree, with a low number of infections and fatalities. The World Bank also forecast that Viet Nam’s GDP would grow 2.8% this year and 6.8% next./.

By Kim Anh