COVID-19 update: Nine more cases detected, new hotspot in Central Highlands

The Ministry of Health (MoH) on February 3 morning confirmed nine more coronavirus cases, including four in Gia Lai province, which has emerged as a new coronavirus hotspot over recent days.
A street in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh province, has been under tight scrunity after a positive case was detected.
A street in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh province, has been under tight scrutiny after a positive case was detected.

The MoH 06.00hrs update shows the nine new cases have been detected in Ha Noi capital (1), Hai Duong (2), Binh Duong (2) and Gia Lai (4).

Most of the cases are closely linked to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in Hai Duong province, a gateway to Ha Noi capital.

The Central Highland province of Gia Lai is viewed as a new coronavirus hotspot as it has recorded 16 cases over just a few days. The virus has attacked the Gia Lai General Hospital, the largest health facility in the province.

The provincial administration has requested assistance from Military Zone No.5 to control the outbreak.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said on Feb. 2 that the MoH is dispatching a contingent of specialists to help Gia Lai slow the spread of the virus. He also asked the locality to speed up contact tracing to early detect and quarantine suspect cases.

Vien Chinh Chien, director of the Central Highland Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, has arrived in Gia Lai to assist with the epidemiological investigation.

Specialists and doctors from leading hospitals such as Bach Mai in Ha Noi and Cho Ray in Ho Chi Minh City are on the way to Gia Lai.

Viet Nam has recorded 310 COVID-19 patients since the virus recurred on January 28. Most of the patients live in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh – the country’s two biggest hotspots at present.

The virus has spread to 10 cities and provinces nationwide, namely Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ha Noi, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hoa Binh, Hai Phong, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, and HCM City.

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(Source: VOV)