Dam, who is the head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, hosted separated online meetings with leaders of the Ministry of Health and the provinces of Quang Ninh and Gia Lai on February 4, discussing measures to halt the spread of COVID-19.
Quang Ninh leaders reported that they have basically controlled the outbreak in Van Don and will soon control the other outbreaks in Uong Bi and Cam Pha.
The locality has accelerated the tracing of people at high risk of infection and improved its testing capacity, while gathering medical declarations of all local residents to reduce risks and focusing on taking samples of risky groups, including local elderly people with underlying diseases, medical staff and in-patients in hospitals, and staff at quarantine facilities.
Quang Ninh aims to not only contain the COVID-19 outbreak but also ensure production and business at the same time, especially during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet).
Deputy PM Dam hailed Quang Ninh’s persistent policy of limiting the scale of quarantine and lockdown to the smallest level possible in order to minimise negative effects on people's life, encouraging the locality to continue this spirit.
At the meeting with Gia Lai authorities, Dam was reported that the latest COVID-19 outbreaks in the Central Highlands province have been basically kept under control.
A health worker measures the temperature of a local in Gia Lai Province. (Photo: NDO)
To date, Gia Lai has recorded four additional COVID-19 infections, lifting its tally to 18 cases. All of them are being quarantined in concentrated quarantine areas.
Gia Lai authorities have requested the immediate establishment of community-based COVID-19 response mobile groups in all residential areas in the locale. Each group includes two to three people in charge of 40 to 50 households, tasked with propagating, advocating and reminding local people to implement preventive measures in each family.
Deputy PM Dam urged for the improvement of testing, traceability and treatment capacity, which would help not only Gia Lai but also other provinces in the Central Highlands region to become better prepared for effectively preventing and controlling the pandemic.
On the same day, Dam inspected Quang Ba Tet Flower Market and SYRENA Trade Centre in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, during which he urged local traders and authorities to strictly carry out preventive measures against COVID-19.
In the northern province of Hai Duong, the Provincial People's Committee established an Emergency Medical Command located at the Hai Duong Department of Health’s headquarters to act on behalf of the Provincial Steering Committee for COVID-19 response, aimed at coordinating, directing and providing professional guidance on speeding up traceability, isolation, zoning, epidemic stamping, taking samples for testing, organising testing and directing treatment for COVID-19 patients.
Hai Duong Industrial Zones Authority has sent a written request to local enterprises to encourage migrant workers to stay in Hai Duong to welcome Tet so as to limit the risk of COVID-19 infection. Businesses have been asked to develop plans to arrange accommodation and provide material and spiritual support for such employees to enjoy Tet.
