Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has sent a task force to Vinh Phuc province, which borders with Hanoi and has the largest number of Covid-19 infections, to prevent the epidemic from spreading, VnExpress quoted Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen as saying on February 12.

Tuyen noted that the operative group is formed by doctors from major hospitals and the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

An official in Son Loi commune hands over leaflets to prevent Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Tat Dinh

"This operative group will be on duty in Vinh Phuc province around the clock, until the Covid-19 epidemic in the locality is contained," said the deputy minister.

He added that the province’s most significant priority currently is to isolate effectively the pandemic-hit areas to prevent its spread. For communes where Covid-19 infections were detected, it is necessary to set up checkpoints at the commune's entrances, disinfect all vehicles entering and outgoing, until the disease in the locality is controlled.

The Ministry of Health will provide materials and chemicals for the locality to combat the epidemic thoroughly and prevent its spread, Tuyen stressed.

Vinh Phuc quarantines 259 people suspected of Covid-19 infection

The Vinh Phuc province People’s Committee has quarantined 259 people suspected of being infected with Covid-19 to monitor their health and check their body temperature daily, VnExpress reported.

The province’s Department of Health recorded a total of 373 being cases monitored in the whole province as of February 13, including 11 people found positive with Covid-19 and 104 others who tested negative.

Vinh Phuc will isolate entire epidemic areas in Son Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district for 20 days, starting February 13.

In Son Loi commune, the epidemic center in Vinh Phuc, the provincial People's Committee set up eight checkpoints at the commune's entrances, controlled by the provincial police.

Vietnam has reported 16 cases of infection as of February 13, of them seven have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

As of February 13, the number of Covid-19 infections reached 60,375 globally while the death toll has risen to 1,367, including two outside China.