Vietnam official says should prepare for scenario of 30,000 coronavirus cases - state TV

Reuters
Updated ·1 min read
Vietnam takes steps to prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Hanoi

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam should prepare for a scenario of up to 30,000 COVID-19 cases, state television said, citing the coronavirus taskforce chief, after the country reported its biggest daily number of new infections on Thursday and ended a 55-day run without a local case.

Deputy Prime Minister and taskforce head Vu Duc Dam said the two northern provinces where 83 cases were found should put measures in place to contain the spread, speed up contact-tracing and prepare for the scenario of 30,000 cases, state broadcaster VTV reported.

(This story corrects attribution in headline and clarifies in first paragraph that official is referring to a scenario)

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Kevin Liffey)