No cases of nCoV infecrtion recorded in Hanoi
On February 1, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed Decision No. 173/QD-TTg on declaring the nCoV outbreak an epidemic in Vietnam.
The municipal Department of Health reported as of 3.00 pm on February 3, Vietnam had confirmed eight cases of infection, including two Chinese people.
So far, no cases of nCoV have been recorded in Hanoi. The health sector has applied forced quarantine on 29 people suspected of catching the new coronavirus. 27 of them tested negative with the nCoV, others are waiting for test results.
According to the health sector, the novel coronavirus can transmit from human to human through the respiratory system. There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection and the best way to prevent the contraction of the disease is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Taking measures for nCoV prevention and control
The Hanoi People’s Committee has implemented disease prevention and control measures while the Department of Health and district/township People’s Committees have proactively released nCoV prevention and control plans in accordance with guiding documents.
On February 1 and 2, district/township People’s Committees in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training launched campaigns to clean schools with disinfectant spray.
On February 2, the Department of Education and Training issued a document to allow students to take school break between February 3-9.
Previously, the Municipal People’s Committee issued Plan No. 23/KH-UBND on January 31, on prevention and control of nCoV infection. Accordingly, the local authorities drew up four detail plans to combat the epidemic.
At the meeting, representatives of the city’s entities gave reports on measures to contain the spread of nCoV.
The tourism sector has strictly implemented the city’s instruction while closely monitoring visitors’ itinerary and health situation.
Regarding face masks supply in the city, Deputy head of the Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Hai said Hanoi has 10 units and four enterprises producing face masks.
The Hanoi Market Management Department has inspected and drastically handled acts of hoarding and speculation of masks.
Stronger efforts to cope with the disease
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy speaks at the meeting.
To effectively prevent the disease in the time ahead, Vice Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy asked the Health Department, hospitals and medical stations to release plans to respond to the epidemic.
He underlined the need for all departments and sectors to carry out missions, such as enhancing inspection of festival, strengthening the communication on the disease, among others.
Meanwhile, districts must establish Steering Committees on disease prevention and control, draw up plans and programs to respond to the epidemic, Quy emphasized.
Making conclusion at the meeting, Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung pointed out that the best way to prevent infection is to raise public awareness on the disease.
He said, from February 4, Hanoi would continue to clean environment with disinfectant spray in offices, hospitals, bus stations and schools.
He requested the health sector to continue to tighten surveillance on passengers at Noi Bai International Airport and update the world’s coronavirus treatments.
The city leader asked to suspend the organization of festivals and events in pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, and other sports activities.
The city’s government would do its utmost to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, he said, calling on the participation of the entire political system and people in the fight against nCoV and prepare for the worst-case scenario.
