The mask market heats up
As a regular member of the group "Specializing in COVID testing kit, gloves and medical masks", self-proclaimed distributor Nguyen Thanh Thao (HCMC) often posts advertisements on the group with the content warning "the epidemic is starting to break out again" to attract customers to buy masks.
Thao said that in the past 2 weeks, masks have been "sold out" continuously, although they are constantly imported, they are still not enough to sell.
"The factory is now operating at full capacity but still does not have enough goods to deliver, yesterday there were a few boxes left, I was selling them for 700,000 VND/box, retail for 750 thousand VND/box. However, that is yesterday's price and if there are goods tomorrow, there will probably be no more prices.
Now the epidemic is on the rise in many places, so the price of test kit and masks has increased, of course, sister, before 2 months, I only sold this box for 350 - 400 thousand VND/box and no one bought it, now it has almost doubled, there are no products to sell", said the person who introduced himself as distributor Nguyen Thanh Thao.
Notably, Thao's products distributed are all imported from processing factories and often do not issue invoices to customers.
"I sell my house's page to Ho Chi Minh City and all provinces and cities across the country. If you need it, I will ask if it can be exported, because normally I don't issue invoices to customers," Thao informed.
COVID-19 test kit increases in price, patients find it difficult to buy
According to a survey at a number of pharmacies in Nam Tu Liem and Cau Giay districts (Hanoi), there have been many buyers of masks and test kit in recent days.
Ms. Phan Anh Tuyet, Nam Tu Liem (Hanoi) has been infected with COVID-19 for 2 days now, she said it is very difficult to buy a COVID-19 test kit at large pharmacies.
"I have been to many famous pharmacy systems such as LC, NH... but everywhere has been out of stock, stopping selling test cases. After going to many pharmacies, some buyers have pointed out some pharmacies in the gate area of Vietnam - Cuba to buy. The price of test kit at this time, in my opinion, is quite high, ranging from 50 - 70 thousand VND per unit depending on the type," said Ms. Tuyet.
Although it is difficult to buy on the market, it is not difficult to find a source of wholesale COVID-19 test kit in large quantities on the "online market".
"The wholesale price of COVID-19 test kit is 38 thousand VND/ Kit, we currently have no more boxes to provide but only boxes. Now that the company's products are out of stock and cannot be supplied, there are only company-based products, so there is quite a shortage.
This price has increased rapidly about two weeks ago, the test kit I sold was only about 24,000 VND/unit, but now the price has increased every day, there is no longer any to take but sell" said a distributor named Linh Linh (Binh Duong).
According to the recommendations of doctors, people should not arbitrarily buy a test kit to test for COVID-19 at home. For young people who are healthy and have mild symptoms, COVID-19 testing is not mandatory. However, if there are elderly people or underlying diseases in the family, testing should be done to proactively isolate and avoid infecting relatives. The testing decision should be based on the circumstances and conditions of each family, without the need for mass testing.
Currently, COVID-19 has been classified as a group B disease, meaning that people with the disease only need to be quarantined at home and limit contact with others, similar to many other infectious diseases such as measles. The absolute quarantine as before is no longer applied.
To proactively prevent and control COVID-19, the Ministry of Health continues to recommend people wearing masks in public places, on public transport, and at medical facilities. Limit gathering in crowded places (if not necessary).
Wash your hands regularly with clean water, soap or antibacterial solution. Increase exercise, exercise, and proper nutrition.
When there are signs of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you must immediately go to the nearest medical facility for timely examination, monitoring, and treatment...
