PM officially declares COVID-19 a national epidemic

Of the total infection cases,196 have been confirmed since March 6, according to the Ministry of Health.

As many as 63 cases have been cleared of the virus and exited hospitals as of Wednesday morning, said the ministry.

The Government has classified the COVID-19 as a "Class A infectious disease" of global emergency that can transmit from human to human through respiratory system, thusthe epidemic prevention and control work shall be carried out in accordance with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.

Under the Law, Class A infectious diseases include extremely dangerous infectious diseases that can transmit in a rapid and widespread manner with a high fatality rate.

On March 30, the Government chief agreed with a proposal to declare COVID-19 a national epidemic while presiding over a meeting on the virus prevention and control.

He demanded the highest focus from the whole political system as it is the "decisive" time in the fight against the epidemic.

"We are not allowed to be subjective and negligent" in this fight, stressed Phuc.

(Source: VGP)