The kits, developed by the Vietnam Military Medical University and the Viet A Technologies with research funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology, have been ordered by a partner of the latter for distribution in certain countries and territories, including India, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S., according to Phan Quoc Viet, director of Viet A.

A blood sample is collected for Covid-19 testing at a wholesale market in Hanoi, April 18, 2020.

But they cannot be bought by individuals since they require specific tools and skills, he said.

Last month around 20 countries and territories were negotiating the purchase of the kits. Viet A would export kits to Iran, Finland, Malaysia and Ukraine first, Viet said at the time. No further updates on the negotiations have been revealed.

Viet A said it is currently capable of producing around 10,000 kits a day, but could increase it to 30,000 if required. A kit is good for 50 tests.

The kits, which use reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), can detect the new coronavirus in droplets obtained from the respiratory tract and blood. They provide results faster and are easier to use than those used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, according to the science ministry.

Vietnam has had 268 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 52 of them active, but no new infections in the last six days.

The pandemic, now in 210 countries and territories, has claimed more than 177,600 lives.

Vietnam reports no new Covid-19 cases for a week

There have been no new Covid-19 cases detected in Vietnam for a whole week, reported the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on April 23 morning.

Bac Giang supports 3,000 teachers and cooks at schools affected in Covid-19 pandemic

(BGO) – The leaders of the Department of Education and Training (DoET), the Educational Trade Union in Bac Giang province on April 21 visited and handed over the expense to support the teachers working at non-public schools, kindergarten groups and cooking staff affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Viet Yen district. 

Provincial leader orders to timely support Covid-19 victims

(BGO) - The provincial People’s Committee (PPC) of Bac Giang province held the monthly meeting on April 21 chaired by PPC Chairman Duong Van Thai.

Six straight days without new Covid-19 patients in Vietnam

Six days have passed since Vietnam recorded the latest Covid-19 patient, keeping the number of infection cases at 268 as of 6am on April 22, according to the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

Vietnam’s internet speeds meet user demand during Covid-19

Broadband internet download speeds in Vietnam average out at 61.69 Mbps, according to results from 30,000 users as announced by the Vietnam Internet Network Information Centre (VNNIC).

Source: VnExpress