Quang Ninh to scale up COVID-19 testing to contain virus spread

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the online working session with leaders of Quang Ninh Province, Ha Noi, February 4,. 2021. Photo: VGP

The plan was rolled out by the local leaders at their online working session with the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control headed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

The locality, one of the current biggest COVID-19 hotspots in Viet Nam, has tracked down 81,698 individuals (from F1-F4), including 49,000 in Dong Trieu Town, and detected 42 positive cases.

Three hositals were set up to quarantine and treat COVID-19 patients while urgent training is underway to enhance contact tracing and sample collection capacity with the support of experts from Ha Noi-based Bach Mai hospital.

Quang Ninh has controlled the COVID-19 clusters in Van Don Airport, Vang Danh Coal Company, and Cam Pha City where positive cases have been confirmed, according to Nguyen Xuan Ky, Secretary of Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.

He said the locality is stepping up contact tracing in a bid to control another outbreak in Ha Long City within the next two days.

In Dong Trieu Town, all 21 communes have COVID-19 patients. The local authorities planned to complete collection of test samples of all residents within the next two days.

As the situation remains complex, Quang Ninh asked for the Ministry of Health’s approval to expand testing range in Ha Long and Dong Trieu to evaluate infection risks and design effective responses.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong will provide more medical supplies and equipment to Quang Ninh.

Cuong also agreed with the locality’s plan to promptly ramp up testing to high risk groups like grocery sellers, restaurant and spa workers, and coffee shop staff, and barbers./.

By Huong Giang