No complacency about COVID-19 prevention: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chairs an urgent meeting of the National Steerig COmmittee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control on January 28.

Dam, who is also had of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, asked localities to increase vigilance after nearly 100 new coronavirus infections were detected in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh within less than 24 hours.

“The first thing I would like to emphasize is that the provinces must not be complacent about COVID-19. I have many times repeated this,” Dam told delegates to an urgent meeting of the committee in Hanoi on January 28.

He raised the question of whether or not vigilance is relaxed, resulting in the emergence of the virus in the community.

It’s now high time to step up contact tracing and massive testing to early detect and quarantine suspect cases in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus, Dam said, referring to the Prime Minister’s directions given at another urgent meeting held in the morning.

According to the Deputy PM, both Hai Duong and Quang Ninh have worked closely with the Ministry of Health to timely respond to the fresh outbreak.

A further 82 cases, including 72 in Hai Duong and 10 in Quang Ninh, were confirmed in the morning after two cases were announced several hours before.

“More cases are likely to be detected this evening and tomorrow morning. But we should stay calm because we have zoned off the affected areas for COVID-19 sampling and testing which are much larger than during previous outbreaks,” said Dam.

A panoramic view of the virtually held meeting

He called on people to share difficulty with the Government and local administrations if social distancing is imposed on a locality, saying the consequences would be serious should drastic measures are not put in place.

Warning about the rapid transmission of the new virus variant, he especially reminded localities to maintain the operation of health facilities, saying it is serious if medical workers are infected with the virus.

The Deputy PM also asked localities to strictly implement the Ministry of Health’s medical recommendations, including face mask wearing in public places. Any law-breakers will be duly punished, he said.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has recurred in Vietnam after 84 cases were detected in Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces. The emergence of the virus has ended a 55-day streak without a new single case in Vietnam.

Notably, the Hai Duong case announced by the Ministry of Health on January 28 morning was said to be closely tied to the new virus variant originating from the United Kingdom. At least 72 people who came into contact with the patient have been diagnosed with the virus.

The Ministry of Health dispatched a contingent of specialists to assist Hai Duong with epidemiological investigation and surveillance, as well as massive testing.

Hai Duong imposed social distancing on Chi Linh city and locked down a ward I the locality where infections were detected.

Meanwhile, Quang Ninh suspended land and waterway transport services after a total of 11 cases tested positive.

Elsewhere, other localities are stepping up contact tracing and testing to early detect and quarantine suspect cases.