Hanoi (VNA), Feb. 15 -- Tests for the novel coronavirus (nCoV) could be run at provincial hospitals in the near future, said Professor Dang Duc Anh, director of the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

Before transferring the technology to conduct these tests, the NIHE would set up training courses and assess infrastructure, especially biological safety in laboratories, he said.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen noted that the transfer would be conducted only when hospitals had assessed their infrastructure.

Last week, the NIHE successfully cultivated and isolated nCov , which causes the acute respiratory disease ( COVID-19 ) first reported in Wuhan City in China.

The NIHE was now in a position to master coron...