Public health

Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Public Health announced on April 1 the launch of a fanpage called “Bo Y Te” (Health Ministry) on Lotus, a Vietnamese social network platform, on March 15, in order to promote recommendations on tackling COVID-19. The ministry’s official fanpage will publish directions from the Government, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, and the ministry relating to the pandemic and provide updated information on the situation in Vietnam and around the world. The launch of the fanpage expresses the ministry’s determination to intensify communications activities to raise public awareness about the pandemic. Subscribers to the official fanpage must download the Lotus app from the Appstore or CH Play on mobile phones or tablets, or visit https://lotus.vn/w. As of March 30, 15 days after its creation, the fanpage had nearly 5,100 followers and had received thousands of comments each day./. … [Read more...] about Health Ministry announces official fanpage on local social network

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo announced on March 31 that the country will provide free electricity and discounts for poor households to help them cope with the economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said state-owned electricity company PLN would supply free electricity for three months starting from April for 24 million households in the 450-volt ampere (VA) category – the lowest out of six categories listed under existing regulations.  PLN will also provide a 50 percent discount for 7 million households in the 900 VA category – the second lowest – for the same three months. Public health is the government’s top priority, the President said in a media telebriefing. The second priority is preparing social safety net measures for lower income citizens and third is protecting businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, he added. The electricity discounts fall into the social safety net category that … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Indonesia offers free electricity, discounts for poor households

Stilwell spoke highly of ASEAN's efforts and achievements in dealing with the disease. He thanked the ASEAN countries for creating favourable conditions for US citizens to return from the epidemic areas, affirming that the US will provide support for citizens of ASEAN member countries living, studying and working in the US. The two sides affirmed that they will actively coordinate to intensify measures in order to minimise socio-economic impact caused by the pandemic, maintain open markets, stabilise the exchange of trade, services and investment, and ensure the supply of essential goods, especially medical supplies. … [Read more...] about ASEAN, US enhance cooperation in COVID-19 fight

Hanoi (VNA) - Malaysia on April 1 announced an additional 142 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients in the country to 2,908. Malaysia now has the highest number of novel coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia. The Malaysian Health Ministry said the country had recorded 45 deaths due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Philippines reported 227 more COVID-19 cases and eight deaths. In total, this Southeast Asian nation recorded 2,311 infections and 96 fatalities from the disease. Also the same day, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health confirmed 120 more cases of COVID-19 and two deaths from the disease. The new cases are local residents, returnees from abroad, including those who came to Indonesia to attend religious events, and a health worker. The majority of new infections have been recorded in the capital city of Bangkok. Thailand has so far confirmed 1,771 COVID-19 cases, including 12 deaths. Another coronavirus hotspot in Southeast Asia, … [Read more...] about COVID-19 patients increase in Southeast Asian countries

A patient can only be discharged from the hospital if their fever has ceased for three days, their clinical symptoms have improved with stable vital signs, and at least two successive tests conducted one day apart have come back negative, according to Ministry of Health standards.     … [Read more...] about One-third of Vietnam’s active COVID-19 cases test negative for virus: health ministry