{"id":1024,"date":"2020-03-20T18:37:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T10:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=1024"},"modified":"2021-01-06T18:54:47","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T10:54:47","slug":"covid-19-update-20-march","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/covid-19-update-20-march\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 In Vietnam Update: 9 New Cases Reported, New Antibacterial Masks Invented, Quarantine Facilities Make Netizens Jelly"},"content":{"rendered":"

COVID-19 in Vietnam, update as of 20th March 2020<\/b><\/h2>\n
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The COVID-19 virus continues to spread and is a growing global concern, but so far Vietnam has proven that it has things under control. While we are seeing surges of thousands of new COVID-19 cases globally, the Southeast Asian country has been able to keep the daily number to single digits per day so far \u2013 registering <\/span>only 9 new COVID-19 cases<\/b> since <\/span>our last update yesterday<\/span><\/a>. The <\/span>total number of cases is sitting at 85<\/b> as of the time of writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the entire country, from the government to businesses and individuals, contributes to the national health effort, the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) has come up with nano-silver face masks<\/strong> that offer users protection against the virus<\/strong> and are also antibacterial<\/strong> and water-resistant<\/strong>. Meanwhile, a 4-star hotel in Ha Long has been offering free accommodation and food to quarantined tourists.<\/span><\/p>\n

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9 new COVID-19 cases reported in one day<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/i>Mandatory testing at the N\u1ed9i B\u00e0i International Airport in Hanoi<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @nalanyavas<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

9 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded on 20th March 2020. In addition, starting from 15<\/span>th<\/span> March, Vietnam has made it <\/span>mandatory for arrivals from COVID-19 hotspots such as the US and Europe to be quarantined and tested<\/b>. Most of these new cases are people quarantined under this new regulation whose test results were confirmed to be positive yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cases 77<\/b> and <\/span>78<\/b> are two students returning to Hanoi from the UK, a 25-year-old female and a 22-year-old male. They arrived in Hanoi on 17<\/span>th<\/span> March on two different flights. They are now receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases and are under stable condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cases 79<\/b> and <\/span>80<\/b> are a 48-year-old woman based in B\u1ea1c Li\u00eau province and her 18-year-old son. They arrived in London on 15<\/span>th<\/span> March.<\/span><\/p>\n

Case 81<\/b> is a 20-year-old male from Kom Tum province. He returned to Vietnam from Paris on 15<\/span>th<\/span> March.<\/span><\/p>\n

Case 82<\/b> is a 16-year-old female based in District 5, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City. She traveled with her mother from London and arrived in Vietnam on 15<\/span>th<\/span> March.<\/span><\/p>\n

Case 83<\/b> is a 50-year-old American woman residing in B\u00ecnh Th\u1ea1nh, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City. She was in Phuket, Thailand in the first half of March and took a flight from Istanbul, Turkey to return to Vietnam on 15<\/span>th<\/span> March.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cases 84<\/b> and <\/span>85<\/b> are two male students based in Hanoi who were studying aboard in the UK. One is 21 years old and the other 20. They returned on the same flight on 18<\/span>th<\/span> March.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nano-silver masks invented in Vietnam<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/i>Face masks being produced by Vinatex<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Vinatex<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As the demand for face masks spikes, The Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) has introduced a new <\/span>3-layered mask<\/b>, with the outermost layer featuring silver nanoparticles and the inner ones made of antimicrobial fabrics. The shape has also been optimized for better comfort during extended use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vinatex has affirmed that the masks are effective in blocking respiratory droplets the wearer might encounter while coming in close contact with COVID-19 patients. Its additional antibacterial properties will guard against bacterial infections, but provide no added protection against viruses such as coronaviruses or influenza viruses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, the new masks are available for sale at several outlets throughout Hanoi at a price of <\/span>VND70,000 (~USD2.98)<\/b> per pack of 5. You can find them at:<\/span><\/p>\n