LATEST UPDATE on the CORONA virus (Covid-19) situation in Vietnam

I. SITUATION IN VIETNAM:

1. Number of Covid-19 cases as of April 13, 2020

2. Number of Covid-19 recoveries as of April 13, 2020

Source: https://ncov.moh.gov.vn/

3. Ho Chi Minh City discovers a Covid-19 patient reinfected after recovery

At the online meeting of the Government of Vietnam on the afternoon of April 13, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong stated that Ho Chi Minh City faces the risk of community transmission from cases that tested negative but later re-tested positive, like patient 22.

Patient 22 (British nationality) was treated in Da Nang from March 8 to March 27. After treatment, the patient tested negative and was declared recovered. He moved to Ho Chi Minh City to exit the country on April 11.

However, upon testing at Tan Son Nhat Airport, the patient tested positive again for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Mr. Phong mentioned that some cases tested negative after treatment but tested positive after discharge, posing a high risk of community transmission.

Source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper

4. Official reduction in electricity prices for residents and businesses from April 2020

On the afternoon of April 12, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the reduction in electricity prices to support businesses and residents in combating the Covid-19 pandemic for three months, from April to June 2020.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that in the recent regular meeting, the Government of Vietnam agreed with the proposal to reduce electricity prices to support residents and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance to direct related units to ensure compliance.

Immediately afterward, the Ministry of Industry and Trade drafted a detailed guiding document and sent it to relevant ministries and agencies to complete compliance with legal requirements before officially issuing the directive to EVN to implement the electricity price reduction.

To be specific, for manufacturing and business customers, electricity prices will be reduced across all time frames—peak hours, normal hours, and off-peak hours—by 10% compared to the current price.

For residential electricity users, a 10% reduction will apply to the electricity tariff for the first four usage tiers (under 300 kWh/month).

For customers in the hospitality industry, the electricity price will be reduced from the current business service rate to the production rate.

Additionally, the Electricity Group will reduce 100% of electricity charges for quarantine centers and medical facilities specializing in treating suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients; reduce 20% of electricity charges for medical facilities conducting testing and treatment for suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients. Simultaneously, reduce 20% of electricity charges for hotels and other lodging facilities used for quarantining suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients.

Source: Tin Tuc Newspaper

5. Resolution 42/NQ-CP: 07 groups eligible for support due to Covid-19 impact

Resolution 42/NQ-CP on measures to support people facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic was officially issued by the Government of Vietnam on April 9, 2020. According to this resolution, the state will provide support for the following 7 groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic for no more than 3 months:

6. Summary of cases handled by law enforcement:

- On April 10, the People's Court of Tien Yen District, Quang Ninh Province conducted the preliminary trial and sentenced the defendant Dao Xuan Anh to 9 months in prison for the crime of "Resisting persons performing official duties" under Article 330 of the Criminal Code.

According to the indictment, around 4 pm on April 4, the inter-communal Covid-19 control checkpoint Dong Hai - Dong Ngu, Tien Yen District, Quang Ninh Province was on duty when they found Dao Xuan Anh (also known as Dao Van Doanh - 30 years old, residing in Dong Hai Commune, Tien Yen District) not wearing a mask. They reminded him and requested compliance with Directive No. 16 of the Prime Minister and the regulations of Quang Ninh Province.

Dao Xuan Anh not only refused to comply but also insulted the officer and used a pith helmet to attack the officer at the checkpoint, after which he left.

Source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper

- Dinh Vinh Son, 27 years old, from Da Huoai District, is under investigation for spreading false information about three Covid-19 cases in Da Lat, including one death.

On April 10, the Lam Dong Procuracy initiated prosecution, placing Son under home detention, to investigate the charge of provisioning or using illegal information on computer networks or telecommunications networks under Article 288 of the 2015 Criminal Code.

This is the first case in the country to be criminally prosecuted for spreading rumors about the Covid-19 situation.

Source: Vnexpress

- On April 4, the Ngo Quyen District police (Hai Phong City) initiated a criminal case and prosecuted Vu Thi Thu Van (43 years old, residing at 92 Dinh Dong, Dong Hai Ward, Le Chan District, Hai Phong City) for not complying with pandemic prevention regulations and resisting officers on duty.

Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper

- On April 13, Ninh Kieu District police (Can Tho City) decided to initiate criminal proceedings, prosecute Nguyen Van Hai (49 years old, residing in Truong Long Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City) and remand him in custody for resisting persons performing official duties under Article 330 of the 2015 Criminal Code. These decisions were approved by the People's Procuracy at the same level.

Earlier, around 6 pm on April 11, after consuming alcohol, Nguyen Van Hai was shirtless, not wearing a mask, and walking in front of Song Hau Park (Area 1, Cai Khe Ward) to return to his boarding house. At this time, the Covid-19 prevention propaganda team of the Cai Khe Ward People’s Committee (Ninh Kieu District) was patrolling and reminded Mr. Hai to wear a mask and practice social distancing as per the Prime Minister's regulations.

However, Mr. Hai did not comply; he cursed and threatened the propaganda team members and then attacked a ward police officer. The police force controlled Nguyen Van Hai and took him to the station.

Source: Bnews

- When reminded to wear a mask in public to prevent Covid-19, Bui Anh Huan not only refused to comply but also assaulted a security guard, causing an injury rate of 24%.

On April 11, the District 7 police (Ho Chi Minh City) served a decision to prosecute a criminal case and prosecute Bui Anh Huan (23 years old) with a domestic ban and a temporary exit ban to investigate the charge of "resisting persons performing official duties" under Article 330 of the 2015 Criminal Code.

Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper

II. INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

1. Number of cases as of April 13, 2020

Source: https://ncov.moh.gov.vn/

2. Trump declares national emergency

Trump declared Covid-19 a national emergency and indicated he would "most likely" get tested for nCoV.

"I officially declare a national emergency, very important words," Trump said in a press conference in the White House Rose Garden on March 13, after facing criticism for the slow response and downplaying the severity of Covid-19 until the number of cases increased. The US has recorded over 2,200 cases, nearly 48 deaths, and more than 40 recoveries.

Trump announced that states and territories would have access to up to $50 billion from federal funds to manage the situation. "I urge every state to set up emergency operation centers immediately," he said.

Source: Vnexpress

3. South Korea records 116 nCoV reinfection cases

South Korea recorded 116 nCoV reinfection cases without clear reasons, while authorities consider relaxing restrictions soon.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) today reported 25 new nCoV infections, including 16 imported cases, raising the country's total to 10,537. This marks the second time since late February that South Korea's daily cases have been below 30.

The country also reported three additional deaths, raising the death toll to 217, with 46 patients in critical condition. The number of recovered patients increased to 7,447, up 79 from the previous day.

Source: Vnexpress

4. New nCoV cases in China hit the highest level in 5 weeks

China reported an additional 108 nCoV cases, the highest daily increase in over 5 weeks, raising the total cases to over 82,000.

The National Health Commission (NHC) of China today reported 108 new nCoV cases, including 98 imported and 10 domestic cases. This daily increase surpasses the 99 cases reported a day earlier and is the highest increase in over 5 weeks, bringing the total to 82,160. Additionally, 61 asymptomatic cases were detected.

Source: Vnexpress

5. German expert proposes 'let young people get infected'

Professor Kekule, who previously urged for Covid-19 control in Germany, proposed a three-step lockdown lifting plan, including letting young people get infected, to mitigate economic and social damage.

"Waiting for a vaccine is not feasible. A vaccine for nCoV may enter the market in the next six months, but I think it will take nearly a year. We cannot impose a lockdown for six months, unless we want to destroy our culture and society," Professor Alexandre Kekule said on April 12.

Source: Vnexpress

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