Health experts believe that good enforcement of preventive measures will enable Hai Duong to contain the virus in 20 days.
Hai Duong, the novel coronavirus outbreak area in Vietnam’s northern region, will remain a hotspot for days if it does not take stronger measures to control the spreading.
Health workers wait to take testing samples in Hai Duong. Photo: Zing |
Local health experts have pointed out a number of reasons why the outbreak area remains complicated after three weeks of the virus resurgence.
The Covid-19 outbreak has spread to all 12 towns and districts in Hai Duong, recording more than 550 infections, leaving the entire locality in lockdown since February 16.
Dr Truong Huu Khanh at Nhi Dong No.1 Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City attributed the complications to unknown source of confirmed cases.
The first case was found in Hai Duong on February 27 at China-invested Poyun Electronics Co., Ltd. However, when tracing back the transmission chain, the virus was believed to spread to the community due to the movement of workers. Hai Duong is home to dozens of industrial parks.
Other reasons include slow contact tracing and isolation and poor testing capacity.
Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said Hai Duong outbreak is more complicated than Danang [the second wave in Vietnam started in July 2020] due to more infectious Covid-19 variant [the UK variant] and shorter incubation.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Quang Tuan, director of Bach Mai Hospital, ascribed the widespread transmission to cross infection in quarantine centers.
Echoing Tuan, Associate Prof. Tran Nhu Duong, deputy head of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), said it’s necessary to put down the transmission within affected zones.
Workers at China-invested Poyun Electronics Co., Ltd. wait for testing. Photo: Zing |
Tougher measures required
Dr Truong Huu Khanh stressed the importance of massive testing, saying it’s a key measure to stamp out the pandemic.
“Movement control is not enough, it is necessary to raise community testing capacity that is considered the key measure to contain the pandemic,” Khanh said in an interview with Zing. “Good enforcement of contact tracing, massive testing, and tightened quarantine rules might bring the situation under control in 15-20 days.”
It means that testing becomes the top priority.
To tighten up quarantine rules, the Ministry of Health has asked Hai Duong to hand over quarantine centers of more than 50 people to the army to ensure the enforcement of precautionary measures. Meanwhile, the army has been asked to relocate workers of some big companies to the army-controlled quarantine facilities for better implementation.
Other News
- Vietnam celebrates Hung Kings Commemoration Day
- Vietnam news in brief - April 18
- Vietnam’s election to UN Women Executive Board: Significant int’l recognition
- Vietnam news in brief - April 17
- Vietnam, Apple set up task force for further cooperation
- Vietnam is always serious about implementing international human rights commitments
- Vietnam news in brief - April 16
- Australian Ambassador for Climate Change visits Vietnam
- Vietnam calls on Cuba to further facilitate Vietnamese investors
- From Sweden to Vietnam: Renowned chef's passion for Vietnamese cuisine
Trending
-
Where do Vietnamese prefer to go for their next holiday?
-
Vietnam news in brief - April 18
-
Vietnam win first match of Asian U23 tournament
-
Colorful stage shows in Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian area
-
It happened as it had to happen
-
Hanoi street where dead appliances come back to life
-
Vietnam’s economy urged to rely on internal strengths to weather global uncertainties: ADB
-
Vietnam, Thailand advance realization of “Three Connections” strategy
-
MICHELIN Guide sets its sights on Vietnam’s central region