Distributing free masks at the launching ceremony. (Source:)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Red
Cross Society (VRCS) on February 7 launched a to bolster public
awareness of the prevention against the acute respiratory disease caused by a new
strain of (nCoV).
At the launch event in Hanoi, the VRCS
handed out 10,000 face masks and 1,000 hand sanitisers free of charge, along
with leaflets on preventive measures for local residents.
President of the VRCS Central Committee Nguyen
Thi Xuan Thu said that to respond to the threat in a timely way, the VRCS
has kept a close watch on the development and maintained regular information
sharing with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies to call for assistance if needed.
It has also devised response plan against
the virus, she added.
Earlier, the committee presented a relief of
1.1 billion VND (47,200 USD) to nine localities to launch communications
campaigns on nCoV prevention, public health care and blood donation.
The organisation also offered 40,000 N95
masks worth a total of 100,000 USD to China and sent personnel to distribute
the relief in Wuhan, China.
Vietnam reported two more 2019-nCoV cases
on February 6, bringing the total in the country to 12.
On February 1, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan
Phuc signed a decision declaring the nCoV-caused disease an epidemic in
Vietnam.
Earlier, the World Health Organisation
(WHO) had declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of
international concern./.
Source: VietnamPlus
