In his remarks at his meeting on Wednesday afternoon with representatives of the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Preventation and Control, municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang praised district authotities and their local health staff for the huge efforts they had put in stepping up the collection of swab samples for the massive screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection over recent days.

Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) delivers his address on next steps in the fight against COVID-19 at the Wednesday’s meeting. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

A quick report released by the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Preventation and Control shows that the number of specimens for COVID-19 screening collected by medical workers from local inhabitants on May 19 was at the highest level ever recorded since a new wave of coronavirus  swept across Da Nang to reach more than 31,000. The city-wide mass-testing initiative helped to promptly identifity 2 new positive cases and make a timely response to these patients.

The mass testing programme for family members showcases the great efforts the district authorites and their local medical facicilities have made to help the fight against COVID-19. In addition, the mass screening programme helps the Da Nang government afford more accurate assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the city.

Mr Quang also highlighted the importance of providing quick test results in helping the the city respond swiftly and effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Da Nang top leader urged the health sector to provide wide-scale COVID-19 testing for all workers in industrial parks and all households in Da Nang as part of the city’s new control measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh demanded the Department of Health to work closely with district authorities to make plans for screening all workers in industrial parks and all households in Da Nang for COVID-19 with the results documented in a risk assessment report.

Chairman Chinh said that the muncicipal government has approved to provide COVID testing for 100% of households in Son Tra District.

Da Nang recorded 2 new positive cases of COVID-19 on May 19, bringing the total cases in the city to 146 till date since the new coronavirus wave hit the city on May 3, According to latest figures released by the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The city placed additional 41 people under quarantine in designated facilities on May 19, bringing the total count to 2,299 to date.

Till date, the city has identified 98 COVID-19 hotspots and 19 residential settings as the so-called “medical self-quarantine areas”, put 52 residential settings under lockdown.

Since May 3, the city has conducted tests on 197,224 people for COVID-19.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L