Vietnam’s health minister has said a new Covid-19 outbreak is “basically under control” in the areas most affected, as cases spread to Hanoi, the capital, where the ruling Communist party is holding its five-yearly congress.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long told reporters on the sidelines of the party congress that 3,674 tests had been conducted, adding that testing capacity was 50,000 a day, and the outbreak was under control in areas where the most cases had been found.

“In a very short period of time, we’ve controlled the situation and I see a ray of hope,” Long said.