The US has the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world.

Four COVID-19 patients in Vietnam have tested negative for the fourth time.

As of 7 PM on March 26th, 37 patients being treated at various medical facilities had tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 27 patients tested negative once; 2 patients tested negative twice; 4 patients tested negative three times; and 4 patients (numbers 29, 45, 53, and 66) tested negative four times.

Among these patients, three have recovered and are expected to be transferred to another medical facility for health monitoring on March 27th: patients 45, 53, and 66.

Ho Chi Minh City will fine people who do not wear face masks.

According to government information, from March 27th, people in Ho Chi Minh City must wear face masks when going out. Those who do not wear masks will be severely fined. Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan has directed the Department of Health to monitor establishments registered to sell face masks. Any establishment selling substandard masks will be severely punished.

"Given the current situation, the first solution to prevent the rapid spread of Covid-19 is wearing masks. This is no longer mandatory but must be enforced," Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan emphasized during the meeting on the afternoon of March 26.

The US leads the world with over 85,000 cases of nCoV infection.

The US recorded over 17,000 new positive cases of nCoV in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected people nationwide to 85,377 (as of 9 am on March 27), with a total of 1,295 deaths.

With the newly released figures, the US has completely surpassed China and Italy to become the world's largest outbreak area. China now records over 81,000 infections, while Italy records over 80,500 infections.

New York, Washington, and California are the three hardest-hit states, while the number of infections in other states and cities is also rising rapidly. New York is the epicenter of the outbreak nationwide, with over 37,000 cases and nearly 400 deaths. State authorities are focusing on helping hospitals increase their capacity by at least 50%, with more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients already hospitalized.

On March 26, US President Donald Trump declared that a major disaster was unfolding in Illinois, one of the states hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic in the US.

President Trump's announcement paves the way for increased federal aid to Illinois, supporting affected individuals across the state.

AFP, citing a new study on March 26 by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), predicts that Covid-19 could lead to around 81,000 deaths in the US over the next four months and overwhelm US hospitals by early April.

China bans entry for foreigners.

China will temporarily prohibit foreigners holding valid visas and residence permits from entering the country starting March 28.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the measure was implemented to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Exemptions will be granted to diplomatic missions, officials, and those holding Category C visas. Category C visas are granted to foreigners working in the international transport services industry.

China reported 55 new cases of infection by the end of March 26, of which 54 were imported from abroad.

Statements by the UK and Russia at the G20 summit.

The UK pledged $253 million to the international effort to find a vaccine for the novel coronavirus – this announcement came after a virtual meeting of G20 leaders on March 26.

"I call on all G20 countries and governments around the world to stand up and help each other defeat this virus," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Also at the G20 online meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for easing sanctions on countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said it was a matter "of life and death." "Ideally, we should propose a moratorium on restrictions on essential goods as well as financial transactions to purchase them," Putin said.

Russia is still subject to Western sanctions imposed following its annexation of Crimea.

The EU wants to keep borders open to allow the free flow of goods.

On March 26, following a virtual meeting of European Union (EU) leaders, European Council President Charles Michel stated that the EU supports keeping borders open to allow the continued flow of goods and to support research into vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

At the press conference, Charles Michel emphasized that Europe prioritizes limiting unnecessary travel by citizens, but at the same time strives to ensure the flow of goods, as this is crucial to avoid shortages and to help protect the European single market as much as possible.

He said that EU leaders agreed to do everything possible to support research, coordinate efforts, and seek collaboration within the scientific community to maximize research potential across the EU.

Many countries are increasing measures to control the epidemic.

Lebanon will implement a lockdown from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to prevent the spread of the virus, according to Lebanese Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad on March 26. Samad said specific details of the restrictions will be announced later.

The Kazakh government has announced a ban on citizens of the country's two largest cities, Almaty and Nur-Sultan, from leaving their homes – except for work and to buy food and medicine. The ban will take effect from March 28.

Kazakhstan will close all intercity transport routes, as well as public places, in Shymkent, the country's third-largest city. Kazakhstan currently has 100 confirmed cases of the virus.

The Swiss Ministry of Health said it has requested the state-owned company Swisscom to provide citizens' mobile phone data within one day, in order to assess the effectiveness of travel restrictions and measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Lan Oanh