Hanoi stands cautious about Omicron variant

Hanoi remains cautious about the Omicron variants and has been instructing health facilities to look for possible signs of the strain in suspected cases and advises the Government to suspend flights from countries having the variant.

Director of the Hanoi’s Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha. Photos: Thanh Hai

Director of the Hanoi’s Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha gave the remarks in response to concerns over the emergence of new variants during a debate held by the 16^th Hanoi People’s Council today [December 9].

According to Ha, the pandemic situation in Hanoi has been worsening since early October, and could soon reach 1,000 newly infected cases per day, not to mention the Omicron variant that is considered to be of higher transmissibility than Delta.

However, Ha said the capital city’s high double vaccination rate of over 95% has been instrumental in keeping the number of severe cases low, and thanks to which many coronavirus carriers are currently treated at home or grassroots health facilities.

“With the focus of the entire political system, Hanoi has been able to control the pandemic situation,” Ha stressed.

Overview of the debate.

Following the instruction from Government’s resolution No.128 on flexible and safe adaptation to the pandemic, she said Hanoi has issued guidelines for localities to assess their respective pandemic risks to act accordingly.

“The tracing, testing, and quarantining works are carried out in the smallest scope as possible, so the grassroots health levels are responsible for treating cases of mild symptoms to relieve pressure for hospitals,” she added.

Besides, Hanoi’s healthcare sector continues to provide jabs for those having not fully vaccinated yet and also the third booster shot in the coming time, Ha stated.

Keeping a balance of Covid-19 fight and economic recovery

Vice-Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung reaffirmed the city’s stance of not going “overboard” in controlling the pandemic situation, so as to create favorable conditions for businesses to operate.

Vice-Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung.

Drawing on past experiences, Dung noted the city considers the people as a key factor in fighting the pandemic.

“Local authorities would set up various Covid-19 response scenarios based on scientific data to deal with any emergent situation,” Dung said.

According to Dung, each district should assess its own risk level to impose the corresponding restriction measures and avoid negative impacts on social mobility and economic activities.

In the coming time, Dung expected the city to continue working in compliance with Resolution No.128, including raising public awareness on the Covid-19 impacts to prevent pandemic spread.

“Hanoi would focus on providing support for locals, especially vulnerable groups that are directly impacted by the pandemic,” he said.

Since the fourth Covid-19 outbreak (April 27 to date), Hanoi recorded a total of 14,925 Covid-19 cases, of which 5,443 were locally transmitted.

Since the city chose to flexible pandemic adaptation under Resolution No.128 (October 11 to December 8), it has confirmed 10,618 infected cases, or 186 per day, of which 4,123 were community-acquired.