About 30 laboratories across Vietnam are capable oftesting for COVID-19 at present, according to the Ministry ofHealth (MoH).

A sample taken for testing from a person in Son Loi commune of Binh Xuyen district, the northern province of Vinh Phuc - Photo: VNA

They are based at the National Institute of Hygiene andEpidemiology in Hanoi, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, the PasteurInstitute of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province, the Institute of Hygiene andEpidemiology of the Central Highlands in Dak Lak province, and the NationalInstitute of Malariology-Parasitology-Entomology in Hanoi.

Disease control centres in Hanoi, Da Nang city and theprovinces of Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Ha Tinh and Lao Caiare also able to perform tests for SARS-CoV2 that causes COVID-19.

These facilities also include the National Hospital forTropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, and the National Children’s Hospital inHanoi; the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City; andHue Central Hospital in Thua Thien-Hue province.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, the MoH hasordered medical facilities nationwide to prepare infrastructure, equipment,materials and personnel to conduct tests in a timely manner.

It has also requested relevant ministries and sectors likethe Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of NationalDefence to stand ready to provide support when necessary.

As of 6:30am on February 25, there had been 79,579 confirmedCOVID-19 cases around the world, including 77,150 in mainland China and 2,429in 36 other countries and territories. 

The number of fatalities stood at 2,628, including 2,592 inmainland China, according to the MoH’s public health emergency operationscentre.

In Vietnam, there have been 16 cases, and 15 of them havebeen cured and discharged from hospital. The country hasn’t recorded any new casessince February 13.

Source: VNA