Vietnamese students can have one to two more weeks of school recess as authorities predicts the peak of nCoV pneumonia outbreak would happen in two weeks' time, VnExpress quoted Minister, Chairman of Government Office Mai Tien Dung as saying at a press conference on February 5.

Inside the quarantine area of a university in Vietnam. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

School break has been an important nCoV prevention measure for the past few days. It gave schools time to apply sterilization and sanitation for classes and teaching equipment, Dung said.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Huu Do also affirmed that though schools are closed but the teaching plans, the quality of education, and students’ health and safety have to be ensured.

Up to now, 62 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam are closing schools to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Students in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre are still going school as of February 5.

Dien Bien province has no confirmed cases of nCoV infections

Dien Bien province Department of Health on February 5 afternoon said that 34 students and teachers with cough and fever are being monitored. Many of these students’ parents returned home from work in China for the Lunar New Year.

However, coronavirus infection has not been detected so far. Some students are now in good health and others are undergoing treatment.

Director of Dien Bien Department of Health Trieu Dinh Thanh said that the two teachers showing signs of respiratory phlegm and inflammation of the sputum (tonsillitis) had been under treatment at Nam Po district’s health center and have now recovered.

Regarding the epidemiological history, the two teachers had contacted with workers who returned from China for more than a month. Out of 34 students showing signs of influenza, cough and fever, 21 are now in good health.

Thanh confirmed so far, Nam Po district has not found any confirmed cases of respiratory infections caused by the new coronavirus.