PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs a government meeting on Covid-19 response in Hanoi, March 16, 2020.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Hanoi on Monday, Mr. Phuc urged the health sector to deploy the best treatment methods and facilities for infected people, noting that Vietnam is now in a critical moment to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak.

“Strong measures are need as this is the ‘golden moment’ to curb the new coronavirus in Vietnam. We have to minimize the number of infections and prevent mortality. This is the responsibility of all of us,” said the PM.

According to the Health Ministry, Vietnam has confirmed 61 cases of Covid-19 and performed more than 7,500 tests. 16 patients have been cured and 43,000 people have been quarantined.