Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam reported 53 newCOVID-19 cases on January 29, the National Steering Committee forCOVID-19 Prevention and Control reported at a meeting the same day.

The latest cases comprised 47 in northern Hai Duongprovince, three in Quang Ninh province, two in Hanoi, and one in Bac Ninhprovince.

As of midday on January 29, Hai Duong had recorded 130cases, with 126 linked to the Vietnam Poyun Electronics Co., Ltd and four to theChi Linh city medical centre.

Quang Ninh has, to January 29 morning, reported 15cases, all associated with Patient No 1553. As many as 149 people who had closecontact with the patient have tested negative for the coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health has sent more experts to HaiDuong and Quang Ninh to instruct pandemic prevention and control efforts, inparticular helping with COVID-19 testing and treatment in Hai Duong. Ministry leadershave also gone to pandemic-hit areas.

Speaking at an online meeting between the steeringcommittee and representatives from Hai Duong and Quang Ninh, Deputy PrimeMinister Vu Duc Dam called for strong determination to contain the outbreakwithin 10 days.

“All relevant forces have to keep this promise,” stressedDam, who is also head of the committee.

He lauded the localities for their response efforts,saying Quang Ninh has completed collecting samples from F3 people and even F4in certain places, while Hai Duong’s Chi Linh city has collected samples from groupsat high risk of infection.

The situation is developing in line with the anticipatedscenario, he said. However, it is necessary to remain vigilant and continuewith contact tracing, especially in Chi Linh.

For the city, the most important task lies withquarantining, he said, suggesting turning military bases, schools, anddormitories in the city and adjacent areas into quarantine facilities.

Dam called for significant efforts in buildingCOVID-19 treatment field hospitals which, he said, must be used as quarantinecentres as soon as they are ready.  

Quang Ninh needs to continue keeping a close watch ontest results, he said, urging the health ministry to publish a list of areasvulnerable to the pandemic./.