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Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh (right) hands over medical aid to Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera (left) in Hanoi on July 16 to aid Cuba's fight against the coronavirus. Source: Cuban Embassy

The Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam on July 16 gave a symbolic donation of medical supplies, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, to the Cuban people, in support of the island's efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The aid included quick test kits, medical masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera, and the Cuban military attaché, Juan Miguel García Montano, attended the ceremony. Other Vietnamese military chiefs and members of the Embassy staff also attended the event.

In remarks at the ceremony, Vinh said success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic not only requires the efforts of each country but also international cooperation.

“International cooperation in COVID-19 response is crucial,” he said, noting that Vietnam has been moved by the efforts of the Politburo of the Cuban Communist Party to quickly respond to all of its requests for cooperation in defence and COVID-19 relief since the disease broke out.

The deputy minister said Vietnam greatly appreciates Cuba sending hundreds of health care workers and medicine to many countries around the world to help fight the pandemic, despite facing numerous difficulties itself.

The cooperation of two countries tightened even in the current situation, demonstrates the close relationship between the peoples of Vietnam and Cuba.

In the current circumstance, the recent cooperation between the two sides in preventing COVID-19 is vivid evidence to the long-lasting friendship and solidarity of the two nations, which is significant and meaningful to bilateral relations, Vinh continued.

It will help both sides together be victorious over COVID-19 and at the same time lay a foundation for long-term cooperation in health care, he added.

For her part, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera thanked Vietnam for donating supplies to assist the fight against COVID-19 in the Caribbean nation, expressing her happy that both countries have controlled the disease better than many developed nations.

The aid clearly demonstrates the special friendship between the two countries’ people, she said. “We have never abandoned each other, even in the most difficult situation.”

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera expresses her gratitude for the donation, which included quick COVID-19 test kits, medical masks, and personal protective equipment.

According to the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina, Cuba shows a favorable situation in fighting the pandemic. New cases of the disease have not been reported in several provinces for more than 70 consecutive days.

After the addition of eight new medical discharges, the number of patients recovered from COVID-19 in Cuba increased to 2,285, the country's Ministry of Public Health informed on July 16.

The total number of recoveries represents 94 percent of the 2,440 confirmed with this disease in Cuba, said Francisco Duran, director of Epidemiology of that entity, who reported two new cases after the 2,761 tests carried out on July 15.

He also noted that on the last day, as in the previous four, there were no deaths, and the number of deaths continued at 87.

As of 5pm on July 16, Vietnam also has gone over 90 consecutive days without any COVID-19 cases being transmitted locally. On the same day, three COVID-19 patients were successfully discharged from hospital, including a 12-year old girl, boosting the country’s total number of recoveries up to 356 cases, representing a recovery rate of 93.4%.

Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations 60 years ago (December 2, 1960 - 2020)./.

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