The Deputy Minister made the statement at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, and health experts after Hanoi confirmed its first infection case on March 6.

At the meeting, the experts analysed and evaluated the situation of the 17th case of Covid-19 in Vietnam. All information on the whereabouts, accommodation, travel itinerary, contacts and potential infections of the patient were detailed for competent authorities to conduct epidemiological investigations and review suspected cases as well as implement medical solutions as prescribed.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Long speaking at the meeting.

According to Deputy Minister Long, the MoH has closely coordinated with Hanoi to quarantine the suspected cases and the residential area of the patient as well as in preparing facilities for treatment to avoid any epidemic-related deaths.

He also noted that people should not worry or panic but take precautions as issued by the Ministry of Health and authorities and also to generally join hands in the fight against the epidemic.

* Also at an extraordinary meeting of the Hanoi Steering Committee for the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue asked the people not to worry or panic too much.

Secretary of Hanoi municipal Party Committee speaking at the extraordinary meeting of the Hanoi Steering Committee for the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic.

 Residents should stay calm and implement measures to prevent and control the epidemic as well as voluntarily report schedules and medical declarations to the relevant agencies, he added.

According to the Secretary of the Hanoi municipal Party Committee, the big supermarkets have sufficient sources of goods, ensuring supply for the essential needs of residents. Therefore, people should not stockpile.

He requested close coordination among ministries and agencies to provide information related to the infected case, while asking for careful medical declarations in Noi Bai International Airport.

The Hanoi Secretary also said that unnecessary activities such as festivals and meetings in the city will be suspended or postponed.

Chairman of Hanoi municipal People's Committe speaking at the meeting.

At the meeting, Chairman of Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung affirmed that the city has acted drastically in dealing with the first infected case as well as urgently localising and quarantining related cases and the residential area of the patient.

So far, 25 people who were closely connected with the 17th patient have tested negative for COVID-19.