Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has warned residents to avoid the crowd if unnecessary in the context that the number of new coronavirus (nCoV)-caused infections has risen to eight in the country.

People in Vietnam wear masks when outside. Photo: Thanh Nien

The ministry has advised residents to wear medical masks when they are outside and to keep distance with people at risks of nCoV-caused respiratory sickness.

The ministry has issued a number of document guiding the prevention and control of the nCoV and instructions how to wash hands and wear medical masks correctly.

Meanwhile, residents have been aware of protecting themselves from the epidemic by avoiding crowds and wearing medical masks for schoolchildren in classes.

Notably, the ministry announces two national emergency lines namely 19009095 and 19003228 that provide free calls for information relating to the nCoV and 21 hotlines at 21 hospitals across the country.

In another move, the Vietnam Social Security has announced that they will facilitate the payment for people covered by health insurance in the checkup and treatment of nCoV-caused respiratory sickness.

As of February 3, Vietnam has confirmed eight individuals infected with the coronavirus, including two Chinese men, four Vietnamese citizens coming back from China’s Wuhan City, one American who transited in Wuhan, and one Vietnamese receptionist who had contacted with the infected Chinese nationals.

So far, the epidemic has spread to 27 countries and territories, being confirmed in 17,389 people, including 184 outside China, causing 362 deaths including one outside China (in the Philippines).