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Taking samples for coronavirus testing in Hanoi. Source: VOV

In spite of limited conditions, Vietnam has been a role model in adopting measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. By focusing on measures that are within its control, the country has won praise from Russian media.

How does a nation with limited resources confront a global pandemic that has brought many developed countries’ healthcare systems to a breaking point?

That’s the challenge facing many of the world’s poorer, developing nations - including countries like Vietnam. But while it might look like a foregone conclusion that the coronavirus outbreak would ravage such a country, Vietnam has instead stood out as a beacon of how to do more with less.

According to an article posted on Russian news website zen.yandex.ru, the country has controlled the spread of the pandemic, it wrote, and had recorded over 200 cases but no fatalities by the end of March thanks to the Government’s rapid response.

It mentioned the closure of all schools, the suspension of all flights, the application of a 21-day quarantine period for an entire commune in Vinh Phuc province, where many workers came from China's Wuhan city - the epicentre of the epidemic, and mandatory quarantine measures for people coming from overseas as among the effective measures adopted by the Government.

Residents of Vietnam’s cities, are beginning to restrict their travel after the nationwide social distancing order takes effect on April 1, leaving the streets quiet than ever. Photo: VNA

Vietnam, unlike wealthy countries in Asia, cannot conduct COVID-19 tests on all of its citizens and so it focuses instead on basic measures such as selective testing and controlling the situation, which have been lauded by the international community, the article noted.

There are around eight doctors to every 10,000 people in Vietnam. Italy and Spain both have 41 doctors per 10,000 people, the US has 26, and China 18.

Its anti-coronavirus measures have gone on to include mandatory 14-day quarantines for anyone arriving in Vietnam and the cancellation of all foreign flights. It has also isolated infected people and then set about tracking down anyone they might have come into contact with.

It stated that Vietnam has been a role model for many other countries on how to contain the coronavirus at a minimum cost.

Meanwhile, Russian radio Sputnik has lauded the Vietnamese Government’s decision to declare a nationwide epidemic and social-distancing order.

The radio quoted experts as saying that the nationwide epidemic announcement at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases in Vietnam stands at only more than 200 has demonstrated the government’s timely reaction.

According to Sputnik, Vietnam has done well in the disease control, quarantine and treatment work, with the participation of the army, public security force and health workers.

With such drastic measures as well as cooperation, solidarity and law observance of Vietnamese people, and great efforts of the forces involved, Vietnam is likely to contain the pandemic and stamp it out at the approach of the summer, the radio said.

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