Mass COVID-19 testing to detect suspected cases in the community
According to Director of the Department of Health Tran Thi Nhi Ha, since the fourth wave of COVID-19 hit the country on April 27, Hanoi has recorded 2,695 coronavirus infected cases, including 1,262 community-acquired infections. Of the total, 1,406 cases have been found via mass testing for those with symptoms of cough and high body temperature in the community. Currently, there are ten clusters of coronavirus cases in the city.
Hanoi has 10,600 patient beds. 99 out of 464 areas in the city are under block down. The city has taken advantage of the “golden time” (the social distancing period) to speed up mass testing to filter out hidden COVID-19 cases in the community.
Particularly, the test subjects are divided into three groups based on risk levels, with red representing those with the highest risk of infection, followed by orange denoting those at-risk, and green meaning low-risk people.
In high-risk districts, one sample is collected from each household, from one family member at the highest risk.
In the first phase, a total of 32,925 samples were collected, exceeding 7,6% over the plan. Of them, 29 were positive for the virus. 421,108 people were tested in the second phase, accounting for 48.8% of the plan. Among them, 18 infections were detected.
So far, Hanoi has administered more than 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, meeting 20.6% of the plan. About 48% of workers in industrial parks and manufacturing facilities have been inoculated.
The city has put 135 quarantine facilities into operation, capable of accommodating nearly 43,000 people. There are more than 5,000 people under quarantine.
Ensure sufficient supply for local residents
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan said that Hanoi is committed to ensuring the sufficient supply for the locals amid the implementation of social distancing measures.
Goods supplies in the city have remained abundant with no sudden price hikes recorded amid the complex development of the pandemic, she underlined.
According to Lan, the city has built a plan to secure supply chains and ensure the stable supply of goods in all situations, while timely dealing with problems for transportation of necessities.
The competent authorities have issued "green cards" (card using QR Code) to 2,200 cars and more than 9,000 motorcycles to deliver goods.
There are more than 8,300 price-stabilization points citywide. The city has work worked with the Hanoi Post, VNPost and ViettelPost to open more than 1,300 retail points selling essential goods to better meet local needs.
Lan stated Hanoi would ensure the adequate supply of essential goods, advising local people against stockpiling goods and gathering at supermarkets and stores.
VND460 billion spent to support COVID-19-hit people
According to Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Quoc Khanh, as of 3pm on August 20, Hanoi provided the support worth VND460 billion to those hit by the COVID-19.
Additionally, district- and commune-level authorities have prepared plans to help the people living in difficult circumstance due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Recently, the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Hanoi committee has given the assistance totaling approximately VND30 billion to needy people.
Enhance inspection to ensure safety for the people
Addressing the meeting, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Security Tran Ngoc Duong said that the municipal police have make effort to fight the pandemic and guarantee security and order in the city.
The police have kept operating 23 COVID-19 checkpoints at the city’s gateways and 44 others on main roads to control all flows of people and vehicles entering/leaving the city.
The forces have also put in place strong measures to crack down on crimes and social evils to maintain political security and social order.
Opening ceremony for new academic year to take place in virtual form
According to Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training Pham Van Dai, Hanoi completed the organization of the 10th grade entrance exams and the national high school graduation exam.
Especially, the opening ceremony for the 2021-2022 new school year will be held online as scheduled at 7:30 on September 5 and broadcast live on Hanoi Radio and Television, Dai stressed.
Hanoi to issue guiding documents on COVID-19 prevention and control
Addressing the briefing, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong highlighted the effort made by the entire political system, especially villages and residential areas, in the fight against COVID-19. Therefore, the pandemic is gradually put under control.
The city would continue to prioritize high-risk groups in the next vaccination effort: frontline workers, guards of buildings, shippers, drivers, and those working in supply chains, said Phong.
According to him, the city would focus on improving the capacity of the health sector with more equipment (especially oxygen systems), training for medical staff, and increasing number of facilities to receive asymptomatic or really mild COVID-19 cases with a capacity of 10,000-30,000.
Based on the on-going COVID-19 situation, Phong said that Hanoi would extend the implementation of Directive 16 of the Prime Minister and Dispatch No. 17 of the municipal People’s Committee throughout the city.
Under the Prime Minister’s Directive 16, all residents are told to continue to stay at home and only go outside for necessary purposes - buying essential items, food, medicine, or emergency needs, for COVID-19 vaccination appointments, or working at essential businesses and agencies allowed to open.
Over the past time, along with the COVID-19 effort fight, the municipal authorities have worked hard to ensure social welfare and support those affected by the pandemic, he emphasized, adding that Hanoi plans to spend VND500 billion to support local residents in employment after the pandemic is controlled.
He also expressed his thanks to provinces and centrally-run cities for their support for the city’s COVID-19 battle.
