Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam, head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control speaks at a committee’s meeting on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

HÀ NỘI — By adopting a diverse range of measures, Việt Nam is in good control of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam has said.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held on Friday, Đam said: “Việt Nam has been well controlling the so-called outbreaks, even approaching the sites that are considered potential ones to localise and stamp out the disease right away.”

He said he believed that by strictly following the instructions of the Government and recommendations from health authorities, the country would succeed in the fight against COVID-19.

It is estimated that on average, it takes nine days for the number of COVID-19 infections to rise from 100 to 1,000 cases, with Japan an exception (28 days).

In accordance with that logic, Việt Nam could potentially have 1,000 infection cases by the end of this month since the country recorded 100 cases on March 22.

However, Đam who is also head of the COVID-19 committee, said this would not be possible because the measures taken by Việt Nam had proven effective.

At the meeting, Nguyễn Thanh Long, deputy Minister of Health, said the country had effectively contained outbreaks in Vĩnh Phúc Province and Trúc Bạch (Hà Nội) while other outbreaks were under tight management.

Concerning the potential outbreak at Bạch Mai Hospital, he said 573 medical staff of the hospital who had close contact with COVID-19 positive cases have been quarantined in the hospital.

The ministry has ordered units to take samples of 5,000 people, including nearly 4,000 staff to test for SARS-CoV2 after two workers and one patient of the hospital contracted COVID-19.

Long also said HCM City have quarantined 153 people associated with infected cases at Buddha Bar.

According to the steering committee, Việt Nam has confirmed 163 COVID-19 infection cases, of whom 20 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals as of late Friday afternoon.

Thirty-seven patients tested negative once while 13 others had their treatment finished, including eight negative twice and five negative three times, it said.

Three patients in serious conditions are currently in intensive care at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. — VNS