COVID-19 in Vietnam, update on 21st April 2020

Following the government’s directive to practice social distancing on a national scale since the beginning of April, Vietnam has shown great progress in containing COVID-19. Today is the 5th day in a row that the country has reported no new COVID-19 cases.

With 12 patients discharged yesterday, only 54 cases are still active at the moment.

Given that the situation is relatively stable right now, the Vietnamese government is considering the next step in dealing with the pandemic. However, it has urged citizens to remain vigilant.

No new COVID-19 cases & 12 recoveries


Image credit: Bệnh Viện Sản Nhi Quảng Ninh

No new COVID-19 cases have been discovered in Vietnam for 5 days in a row, meaning the total patient tally in the country is still sitting at 268 since Thursday.

On the other hand, 12 more patients have been discharged from quarantine facilities since our last update yesterday. This places the total recovery count in Vietnam at 214, meaning only 54 cases are still active at the moment.

8 of the 12 discharged patients were treated at the northern province of Ninh Bình. They had all been working or studying in foreign countries before returning to Vietnam and being quarantined on arrival. They include:

  • Case 164, a 23-year-old man.
  • Case 165, a 58-year-old man.
  • Case 180, a 27-year-old woman.
  • Case 181, a 33-year-old man.
  • Case 182, a 19-year-old woman.
  • Case 228, a 29-year-old man.
  • Case 230, a 28-year-old woman.
  • Case 240, a 29-year-old woman.

2 others were Vietnamese women returning from Thailand who were treated at the Cầu Treo General Hospital in the central province of Hà Tĩnh. They are Case 210, 26 years old, and Case 238, 17 years old.

The remaining 2 are foreigners residing in Hồ Chí Minh City. They had both visited the Buddha Bar, a COVID-19 hotspot in the city. They are a 39-year-old Brazilian man known as Case 224 and a 26-year-old woman from the UK known as Case 236.

Vietnam to consider the next step


The meeting of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control yesterday morning
Image credit: Vietnam Government Portal

Having had the pandemic under control so far, Vietnam is preparing to move into the next stage, “co-existing” with the disease.

In a meeting yesterday morning, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control discussed steps to reopen schools and certain businesses, as well as easing suspension on public transport. However, it has emphasized that staying vigilant and exercising appropriate preventive measures are of paramount importance.

In another meeting, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said the social distancing policy could be softened step by step, but adequate controls would still be maintained.

Further directives are expected to be announced tomorrow.

Vietnam in the fight against COVID-19

The COVID-19 situation in Vietnam is brightening up by the day, which is indeed great news. However, we must not underestimate the possibility of another outbreak. Even if the social distancing policy is softened, we should still practice good hygiene and wear a mask while going out to protect ourselves and the community.

For more COVID-19 stories, check out:

Cover image adapted from: Bệnh Viện Sản Nhi Quảng Ninh

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