Việt Nam Red Cross Society volunteers distribute medical masks and leaflets on coronavirus epidemic prevention in Hà Nội on February 7. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Red Cross (VNRC) distributed 10,000 medical masks, 10,000 bottles of hand sanitiser and leaflets on coronavirus prevention in Hà Nội on Friday.

People can get free masks and hand sanitiser at three sites, including the Việt Nam Red Cross Headquarters Office at 82 Nguyễn Du Street and 68 Bà Triệu Street or the Hà Nội Post Office at 75 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Hoàn Kiếm District in Hà Nội.

The move was part of the group's communication campaign to strengthen the awareness of Red Cross members, volunteers and the community on the coronavirus epidemic and disease prevention measures.

Also at the launch ceremony, the VNRC experts organised a demonstration to instruct people how to correctly use masks and wash their hands with antiseptic soap.

"Coronavirus is transmitted from human to human through close and direct contact with the saliva of infected patients and objects. Washing hands regularly with soap and disinfectant is the best way to prevent the coronavirus,” said VNRC Vice President Trần Quốc Hùng.

The society also provided VNĐ1.1 billion (US$47,200) for nine provinces and cities, including Khánh Hóa, Thanh Hóa, Vĩnh Phúc, HCM City, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, Lào Cai, Quảng Ninh and Lạng Sơn, to implement communication activities and raise awareness about epidemic prevention and healthcare for the community. At all levels, local Red Cross associations have distributed 101,470 free textile and medical masks and 15,000 soap bars and disinfectant liquids to people nationwide.

Previously, on February 1, the Vietnam Red Cross donated 40,000 N95 medical masks, worth $100,000, to help Chinese people prevent the coronavirus epidemic.

To support the Việt Nam Red Cross’s activities, the International Association of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies allocated $50,000, the Procter & Gamble Co., Ltd. donated 1,200 safeguard disinfectant liquid bottles; Viet Sin Co., Ltd. donated 80,000 N95 masks and Ying Tong (Vietnam) Co., Ltd donated 100,000 medical masks to Chinese people affected by the epidemic.

As of 7am Friday, the epidemic had claimed 639 lives and infected 31,481 people in 27 countries and territories, according to the Ministry of Health. Việt Nam has reported 12 people with novel coronavirus. — VNS