Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has pointed out a high risk of COVID-19 resurgence, demanding all-level authorities and sectors take measures for pandemic adaptation and socio-economic development in a uniformed and consistent manner.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (standing) chairs the national conference with local governments on COVID-19 on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

PM Chinh, who is also head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, made the request while chairing a national teleconference with the 63 provincial-level committees nationwide on Saturday.

Việt Nam so far has recorded more than one million COVID-19 cases, including a little over 900,000 recoveries (or 82 per cent) and around 23,500 deaths, according to the national committee.

In more than one month of taking measures for safely and flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling the pandemic, the country has seen 105,543 cases of community transmission, including 90,442 in the southern region (85.6 per cent).

The number of community infections increased by 2.9 per cent, fatalities declined by 46.3 per cent, those under treatment at hospital down 25.3 per cent, and the cases in critical conditions down 40.8 per cent month on month.

The national committee said the pandemic has been basically brought under control nationwide. However, community transmissions of the coronavirus tend to grow in many localities, with many cases showing no symptoms, having unknown infection sources, or being linked with people returning from pandemic-hit areas.

PM Chính warned about COVID-19 resurgence, attributing the current situation to ‘human factors,’ asking all-level authorities and sectors to have a better grasp, forecast and analysis of the situation so as to carry out feasible and effective anti-pandemic actions.

He told the Ministry of Health to complete a general strategy for COVID-19 prevention and control, and authorities and sectors to overhaul the legal basis for implementing measures for safe and flexible adaption to and effective control of COVID-19, as well as for socio-economic recovery and development, in a uniform and consistent manner at all levels.

He requested that in the immediate future, localities and sectors seriously carry out the resolution and the temporary regulations on safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of the pandemic.

The Government leader demanded localities assist one another in COVID-19 response, step up vaccinations so that all adults will be fully inoculated by the end of 2021, build comprehensive vaccination plans for children in order for schools to safely reopen for in-person learning, administer booster or third dose of vaccine for adults, and ensure sufficient and timely supply of medicines used in COVID-19 treatment.

He also wants the health ministry to learn from other countries to devise appropriate quarantine policies, especially for people who have already got two doses of vaccines and/or have proofs of negative COVID-19 tests within 72 hours.

The PM also ordered continued communications to raise people and businesses’ awareness, effectively apply technology to COVID-19 prevention and control, issue appropriate regulations on entry into and exit from the country, and especially fight corruption and group interests during the implementation of anti-pandemic and socio-economic policies.

PM Chính stressed that when opening up and safely, flexibly adapting to COVID-19, we have to accept the fact that there will continue to be cases, but there also should be reasonable, effective, and science-based risk management measures to reduce deaths and cases turning critical.

Source: VNS