Dear Susan,

How are you ? I writed this letter to tell you about a new virus - Covid 19 in my country, Vietnam. The new flu-like disease is now called Covid-19 (sometimes referred to as novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which cause illnesses like the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

From 6:00 p.m. on February 21 to 6:00 p.m. on February 22, Vietnam had 2,383 patients, of which 1,484 cases of COVID-19 infecting the country, of which the number of new cases is from January 27 to present : 791 cases recorded in 13 provinces and cities. The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, February 22, 6 a.m., said there was no new case of COVID-19. Vietnam has cured 1,717 patients. 120,000 people are quarantined against epidemics across the country. 

Good hygiene, regularly washing and thoroughly drying your hands, and other simple steps can help stop the spread, the Ministry of Health says. These include avoiding close contact with people with cold- or flu-like illnesses and covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing.

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and drying them thoroughly, before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children's noses or after caring for sick people can help prevent spreading the disease.

Please remember and protect your self, Susan.

Best wishes,

Thao Mai.