COVID-19 in Vietnam, update on 25th August 2020
The second COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam seems to be slowing down, as today marks the 5th morning in a row that the country has reported no new cases in its daily morning updates. The total patient count is currently sitting at 1022 after 6 patients were confirmed yesterday evening.
To spread positivity and boost citizens’ morale in the fight against the pandemic, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has worked in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and local artists to produce a music video.
6 new cases reported yesterday evening
Safety measures being carried out at a hospital in Hanoi
Image credit: Bệnh Viện K
The latest 6 new COVID-19 patients in Vietnam, confirmed yesterday evening, include 4 citizens of Đà Nẵng and two people from Hải Dương. Both cities have been heavily hit by the second outbreak and are currently under citywide social distancing orders.
The two patients in Hải Dương are family members of a previous patient. Meanwhile, of the 4 living in Đà Nẵng:
- 2 are medical workers at the Đà Nẵng Hospital, the biggest cluster in the city.
- 1 is a 26-year-old man who had contact with a previous patient.
- 1 is a 68-year-old woman who was tested at a market in Sơn Trà District. Her source of infection is still being investigated.
Over the weekend, two more deaths related to COVID-19 were also reported in Đà Nẵng, bringing Vietnam’s COVID-19 fatality count to 27. Both of the deceased, including a 93-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman, suffered from other serious health issues including chronic kidney diseases, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
According to the latest numbers, Vietnam has had a total of 1022 COVID-19 patients since the beginning of the pandemic, of whom 588 have recovered, 27 have died, and 406 are still in treatment. A report from Thời Sự VTV this morning also says that 146 of the active patients have had at least 1 negative test for the virus.
Hải Dương strengthens security measures
A woman living in a quarantined area in Hải Dương receiving supplies from a relative
Image credit: Vietnam’s Ministry of Health
With more COVID-19 cases still being discovered in Hải Dương, the city’s authorities have deemed it necessary to enforce extra security measures.
Starting from 22nd August, all stores selling fast foods such as noodles, bread, and other pre-packed food and processed food at marketplaces are ordered to temporarily shut down. Other non-essential services such as clothing and cosmetic shops, electronic stores, and hair salons are also suspended.
A curfew has also been implemented in the city, where all residents are asked not to leave their houses between 10PM and 5AM save for emergencies.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health creates music video
Video credit: METUB Network
Yesterday evening, a music video produced by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme was published on YouTube and immediately went viral in the community.
Titled “Vững Tin Việt Nam” (Stay Strong Vietnam) and performed by Vietnamese singers Hà Lê and Phạm Minh Thành, the video reflects the changes to everyday Vietnamese life, where people establish new habits such as wearing masks to protect themselves against the coronavirus while lending a helping hand to their neighbors in times of need. It aims to instill positivity and lift people’s spirits during this second COVID-19 wave in Vietnam.
Many celebrities such as famous footballer Bùi Tiến Dũng and travel blogger Trần Đặng Đăng Khoa who spent over 1,000 days traveling the world also made an appearance as guest stars.
Vietnam’s COVID-19 situation, update on 25th August
While we have indeed seen the curve flattening a bit since mid-August, new infections are still present in the community. It is not time for us to let our hair down just yet.
The Ministry of Health’s music video not only provides a much-needed source of positivity, but no doubt it’ll go a long way in reminding people to exert caution as well.
For more stories, check out:
- Vietnamese students might have to attend school opening ceremonies from home
- Vietnamese people from rural areas donate veggies to help Đà Nẵng
- Hanoi F&B outlets carry out safety measures
- Saigon man uses his own money to buy firetruck to help the community
- Saigon Zoo staff takes pay cut to leave more for the animals
Cover image adapted from Bệnh Viện K and METUB Network
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