On August 17, when hearing from a volunteer that two members of a family with four Covid patients were getting worse, Nguyen Van Chanh of the ‘Thay thuoc dong hanh’ network (Companion Physicians) immediately picked up the phone.

By August 26, Ho Chi Minh City had 401 mobile medical stations in operation and it is now establishing 12 more stations.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Vietnam reached 410,366 as 12,920 new infections were reported on August 27 evening.

“All the people in isolated areas must be considered F1 cases (contacts of infected people) and they must be tested. Those who refuse testing must be taken away to concentrated quarantine,” said Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh.

Tuong (classical drama) artist Bach Mai and culinary artisan Trieu Thi Choi died after days of COVID-19 treatment in hospitals in HCM City on Thursday. 

The Ministry of Health has announced that the antiviral drug molnupiravir will be part of the medicine package provided to COVID-19 patients in HCM City, while three robots will be used to deliver food to patients at a resuscitation hospital.

At the national level, much more data in the health, economic and social fields is needed to make science-based rather than sentimental decisions for anti-epidemic and economic fronts.

Vietnam recorded 11,575 new COVID-19 cases, including 11,569 domestic and six imported, in the past 24 hours to 6pm on August 26, the Ministry of Health announced.

Children aged below 16 who are direct contacts of Covid-19 cases are permitted to self-quarantine at home for 14 days, instead of staying at centralized quarantine centers as earlier, according to new Ministry of Health guidelines.

The capital of Hanoi is at high risk of recording an increase in the number COVID-19 cases within the community as it has many densely populated alleys and streets, as well as crowded residential areas, according to experts.

HCM City authorities have asked the ministries of health and finance to devise a payment scale for COVID patients at private medical facilities.

The authorities of Da Nang City have decided to extend strict social distancing measures for another 10 days, starting from 8 am on August 26.

Vietnam recorded 12,096 new COVID-19 cases, including 12,093 domestic and three imported, in the past 24 hours to 6pm on August 25, the Ministry of Health announced.

Pope Francis has decided to provide EUR100,000 as emergency relief to Vietnamese people negatively affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Vatican News.

Food supply has been ensured for HCM City and the southern region during the social distancing period, according to a working group supporting the COVID-19 fight in the southern region.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has been assigned to be head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control at a meeting of top leaders held on August 24.

Additional 10,811 COVID-19 cases, including 14 imported ones, were confirmed nationwide in the past 24 hours to 6pm on August 24, according to the Ministry of Health.

Data from epidemiological studies using antibody tests to measure the proportion of the population who have acquired protective immunity will help to make more accurate assessments about the epidemic situation.

Provinces and cities applying social distancing measures were requested to ensure enough food and essential services for residents, especially those of vulnerable groups.

The army is determined to use all means and forces, within and even beyond its ability to wipe out the pandemic and bring people’s life to normal, Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang has affirmed.