Vietnam needs to develop safety standards for coexisting with the Covid-19 pandemic, local media quoted Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam as saying at a teleconference of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on October 3.

Mr. Dam said the World Health Organization (WHO) and international organizations forecast that the pandemic could last until the end of 2021 due to the unavailability of vaccines.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the teleconference. Photo: Dinh Nam

With the Vietnamese government’s sound leadership and the close collaboration between the steering committee, ministries and localities, Vietnam has effectively and promptly locked down affected areas, helping to achieve the dual goal of fighting the pandemic and ensuring economic growth.

The country also stepped up cooperation with foreign experts and organizations to study the novel coronavirus, share treatment therapies and offer mutual support, the deputy PM said.

After four Covid-19 transmission risks were defined in Vietnam, the map of safe living with the pandemic shown in the website www.antoancovid.vn was launched on October 1, which will be firstly used at schools and medical establishments to update information about the disease.

In the time ahead, the map will be widely used in lodging facilities, offices, factories, supermarkets and public transport vehicles. The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Information and Communications to complete the tool.

The deputy PM also asked the Ministry of Health to work on national electronic health records to monitor the health of the elderly, patients with pre-existing diseases and those at high risk of Covid-19 infection, as well as step up remote health check-ups and treatment.

Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said Vietnam experienced two waves of Covid-19 outbreaks in March and July with 1,096 infections and 35 deaths. The country has so far gone through 30 consecutive days without local transmissions and 1,020 patients have been given the all-clear from the virus.

Mr. Long urged localities and people to stay vigilant, especially closely controlling illegal entry at border gates, as the upcoming winter-spring climate is conducive to the spread of the virus.

Sen. Lieut. Gen Tran Don, deputy minister of National Defense, directed units and localities to ensure security and order, keep track of entries to Vietnam to minimize transmission risks in the community.