Vietnam Utilizes V2K to Combat Rising Cases of Covid-19 – 9th September Update

Getting vaccinated against Covid-19. Photo: VNA

Over 3,100 new Covid-19 cases logged on September 8

The national Covid-19 caseload rose to 11,431,823 with 3,191 new cases recorded on September 8, according to the Ministry of Health.

With 8,503 patients given the all clear during the day, the number of recoveries rose to 10,261,401. Meanwhile, there are 154 patients needing breathing support, cited VNA.

One death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities rose to 43,126.

On September 7, an additional 143,278 doses of vaccines were administered, raising the total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccines injected to 257,814,888.

Vietnam adopts V2K message to prevent spread of Covid-19

With increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases coupled with the emergence of sub-variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Ministry of Health has recently launched the V2K message (face masks, and disinfection) plus vaccinations, as part of wider Covid-19 prevention and control efforts.

The ministry encouraged people to don face masks when going out to public and crowded places. Mandatory face masks are also required for people with respiratory symptoms or those suspected of having Covid-19.

People were advised to conduct thorough disinfectant measures by regularly washing their hands with soap or sanitizer, as well as deploying routine cleaning efforts in the workplace in line with the guidance issued by health authorities.

In addition, residents were recommended to receive sufficient inoculations of Covid-19 vaccines on schedule in order to effectively prevent the potential spread of the epidemic.

The Ministry of Health emphasized the necessity of continuing to follow its guidelines for Covid-19 diagnosis, treatment, and medical examination, even in the event that people show any symptoms of Covid-19, according to VOV.

In August 2020 Vietnam adopted a Covid-19 protocol featuring 5K in Vietnamese, namely Khau trang (facemask)- (Khu khuan) disinfection- (Khoang cach) distance- (Khong tu tap) no gathering – (Khai bao y te) health declaration, when it was coping with the second outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the outbreak brought under control earlier this year, experts said the 5K protocol was no longer appropriate and it should be revised.

Photo: Reuters

According to the Ministry of Health, the Covid-19 pandemic has yet to be completely contained and considered an endemic disease in Vietnam. A new wave of Covid-19 is likely to break out at any time following the emergence of new variants and sub-variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vietnam recently recorded the presence of new sub-variants of the Omicron variant, such as BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1 and BA.2.74.

The number of coronavirus infections has shown signs of increasing across the country over the past weeks, with 3,878 cases recorded on September 7 alone, the highest in the past four months. Hundreds of cases are relying on mechanical ventilation in medical facilities to sustain life.

Vietnam has so far documented as many as 11,428,632 million Covid-19 cases, ranking 12th out of 227 countries and territories worldwide.

Of the total, 10,252,898 million patients have recovered and 43,125 people have died of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and underlying illnesses.

More than 137,000 shots of Covid-19 vaccines were given nationwide, bringing the total number of vaccine doses administered to nearly 257.7 million.

Vietnamese and Chinese border agencies hold online talks

Virtual talks were held on September 8 between the border guards of four Vietnamese provinces and the immigration inspection station of China’s Guangxi Province.

The Vietnamese delegation comprises the border guards from the provinces of Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang and Ha Giang, led by Senior Colonel Ninh Van Hop.

Vietnamese border guards at the talks. Photo: NDO

At the event, the two sides reviewed their Kính trọng hợp tác song phương in border management and protection, including talks, direct meetings, exchanges of letters and phone calls, reported NDO.

In the past year, the two sides have completed the immigration procedures for 680,000 people and 420,000 vehicles and dealt with hundreds of cases of illegal entry, thus helping to create a border of peace, friendship and stability.

In the coming time, the two sides agreed to continue implementing the signed agreements, working together in pandemic prevention, facilitating cross-border movement, and fighting against cross-border crimes.

Vietnamese nominations win World Travel Awards 2022

Many of Vietnamese nominations have been honored at a gala ceremony of the 29th World Travel Awards in the Asia & Oceania region held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 7 evening.

Vietnam was honored as Asia’s Leading Destination 2022 and Asia’s Leading Nature Destination 2022. UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site Hoi An won in the category of Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2022. The capital of Hanoi became Asia’s Leading City Break Destination 2022, while Ho Chi Minh City won in the category of Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destinations 2022.

The World Travel Awards 2022 also honored Da Nang city as Asia’s Leading Festival & Event Destination 2022, Vietnam Airlines as Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2022, as well as several hotels and tourist resorts in Vietnam, cited VOV.

The World Travel Awards 2022 themed “Southern Journey” focuses on nine categories in the fields of airlines, destinations, entertainment parks, yachts, hotels and resorts, travel agencies and tour operators, among others.

Addressing the awards ceremony, Phan Van Mai, head of the Ho Chi Minh City government, noted that this year’s awards ceremony marked an important milestone in the history of the tourism industry in Vietnam and the world as it was held at a time when global tourism is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. He said Ho Chi Minh City was proud to host this special event.

Vietnam has been honored as Asia’s Leading Destination 2022 and Asia’s Leading Nature Destination 2022. Photo: VOV

“This is a great opportunity to promote the image of beautiful attractive nature and friendly Vietnamese people to the world,” he stressed.

According to Graham Cooke, founder and president of World Travel Award, the organization board this year had received 2.3 million votes from across the globe, that shows ‘expectations of global tourism as well as the mainstream trend of world travelers looking for new passions and quality services’. He also singled out Vietnamese representatives that have won the 2022 awards for reaching world class standards.

This is the second time that Vietnam has been chosen as a destination for the gala ceremony following the first time in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang province.

Vietnam attends Seoul Defense Dialogue

A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense led by its Deputy Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien attended the 11th Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD-11) in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on September 7.

SDD-11, from September 6-9, brought together defense officers and experts from 54 countries worldwide, and representatives from regional and international organizations.

Under the theme “How to Address Complex Security Challenges: Fostering International Solidarity,” the dialogue features three plenary sessions on cooperation in promoting non-denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, rebuilding trust in the region and the military’s role in hybrid warfare.

The Vietnamese delegation at the event. Photo: qdnd.vn

There are also four special sessions on international peacekeeping operations, the fight against disinformation, technologies for military modernisation and defense acquisition efforts, VNA reported.

On the sidelines of the dialogue, the SDD Space Security Working Group was launched to discuss global cooperation in promoting security in the strategically crucial domain.

The forum’s Cyber Working Group saw the participation of defense officers and experts from 43 countries, and representative from regional and international organisations.

On this occasion, Chien had a bilateral meeting with Japanese Deputy Minister of Defence Masami Oka, during which the two sides agreed on cooperation contents to strengthen the defense ties in a more pragmatic and effective manner.

Chien invited leaders of the Japanese Defense Ministry to attend the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022, scheduled to take place in Hanoi in December.