Hanoi receives donation of 10,000 test kits to combat Covid-19

The Hanoi Department of Health on August 7 received a donation of 10,000 RT-rPCR test kits and 12,000 anti-droplet masks for the pandemic prevention, VnExpress reported.

These medical supplies will be handed over to health workers who are working in hospitals and isolation zones in the city.

The RT-rPCR test kit is presented to the Hanoi Department of Health. Photo: M.P

"Hanoi has recorded nearly 100,000 returnees from Danang, now the largest epicenter of Covid-19 in Vietnam, between July 15 and 29, thus thousands of people need to be tested for coronavirus using RT-PCR," said Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha.

She thanked the donors for their active support which she said will help the healthcare sector early detect suspected cases in the community.

RT-rPCR is the latest version of Covid-19 test kit, delivering instant results and high sensitivity. The previous RT-PCR testing had to go through a layer of electrophoresis before giving out the results.

The test kit was jointly researched and produced by the Vietnam Military Medical University and Viet A Technology Joint Stock Company. It was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 26 and granted a CE certification and a Certificate of Free Sale from the UK, allowing them to be sold in the European market.

The kit is able to detect new Covid-19 in droplets obtained from the respiratory tract and blood.

At the online meeting with the districts about Covid-19 prevention on August 6, the Hanoi authorities requested the application of PCR tests for all people from the pandemic-hit regions.

Currently, Hanoi city has three PCR test machines, which can test 500-700 samples a day, and up to 2,000 samples if more machines are provided. Hanoi’s medical staff, who have been well trained, can take nearly 12,000 pharyngeal samples per day, said Truong Quang Viet, deputy director of the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC).