Vietnam could become a candidate for the production of vaccines against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with its strong vaccine production capability, WHO Representative in Vietnam Kidong Park told Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during their meeting in Hanoi on Saturday.

PM Phuc stated that Vietnam has engaged the entire political system, including the military and public security forces, in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Southeast Asian country considers epidemic prevention as a major task of the government, all ministries, agencies, localities, and the whole people, the premier continued.

The Vietnamese government has been ensuring a sufficient supply of necessities for the people, and taken stronger measures to contain infections from different sources such as Europe or the UK.

Vietnam hopes the WHO will provide the latest technological advances and medical equipment to help the country fight against the epidemic, he said, adding that the Southeast Asian country has successfully treated 16 cases, including an elderly patient with complex diseases.

WHO Representative Park praised Vietnam’s efforts to control the epidemic with assertive measures to quarantine infected people and those who have close contact with them.

The country has also established 30 testing facilities, Park added.

WHO encourages the Vietnamese government to continue taking drastic actions and suggests that the country pay attention to protecting medical staff who are at the frontline in treating patients, the elderly living with chronic diseases, and those who hold important positions, he said.

There are now 20 candidates for the production of vaccines against COVID-19, Park continued, adding he was delighted to know that Vietnam’s vaccine production capability could meet requirements.

The novel coronavirus, which first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has infected over 155,900 people and killed more than 5,835 globally as of Sunday morning, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 53 cases of coronavirus infections, with 16 having fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital.

No death has been recorded in Vietnam.

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