Military staff prepare free meals for people in a quarantined place in the northern province of Điện Biên. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has praised the army for its efforts to overcome a wide range of difficulties and challenges to fulfill all tasks in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

While attending an army teleconference on COVID-19 prevention and control on Sunday, PM Phúc said the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA) is always a pillar of the nation and its role is further promoted when the country is in danger.

The VPA has been in the front line of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, adding that thousands of officers and soldiers have been mobilised to directly participate in the combat.

The PM also praised the army’s science and technology units for their successful development and production of SARS-CoV-2 new coronavirus test kit which has greatly contributed to COVID-19 check-up and treatment.

In the future, the government leader asked all VPA officers and soldiers to protect themselves from COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the disease in military units. The whole army needs to make greater endeavours to manage well concentrated quarantine areas, he added.

A report delivered by the Ministry of National Defence’s Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control showed that a total of 34,734 people have been quarantined at barracks across the country. Of them, 17,910 people have completed their quarantine periods and 16,538 others are undergoing quarantine.

The Ministry of National Defence has 140 establishments which are capable of receiving more than 44,700 people for quarantine.

As of Sunday afternoon, Việt Nam had reported 99 COVID-19 infection cases, of whom 17 patients have recovered. — VNS