People who returned from the South Korea, arrived quarantine area in Ninh Bình Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Đức Phương

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has urged all ministries, sectors and localities to not be subjective and remain vigilant against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Although the country reports no new cases over the past 23 days, the disease has developed in many other countries, he said at a Government meeting on Thursday.

He asked for the application of new and appropriate prevention and control methods, particularly preventing sources of infection along border areas, via aviation and among the community.

He asked localities, ministries and sectors to be ready in terms of medical materials, equipment and human resources and make sure response plans are in place.

The National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control said the disease has expanded to 82 countries and territories, posing a high risks it could develop in Việt Nam.

Localities should prepare areas for quarantine when necessary.

Regarding the Japanese passenger boarding a Vietnam Airlines flight on Tuesday who tested positive, the Ministry of Health was asked to keep all passengers entering Việt Nam and crew members under quarantine, according to the committee.

The man boarded Vietnam Airlines Flight VN814 from Cambodia’s Siem Reap to HCM City, then took transit Flight VN340 to Japan’s Nagoya City. After arriving in Japan, he showed symptoms of fever and tested positive for COVID-19.

Concerning a teacher in Hà Nội’s Bắc Từ Liêm District, who had earlier been suspected of being infected after coming back from a five-day conference in Italy, the committee said she tested negative. The conference was held on February 22-26. She showed symptoms of fever and was coughing on Wednesday. 

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Hữu Độ reported that up to 98.3 per cent of high school students came back to class as of March 4.

According to the health ministry, as of 3pm Thursday 5, 95,413 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 82 countries and territories, including 80,409 cases in China. The disease has killed 3,285 people globally. — VNS