Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh on Tuesday afternoon warned officials and the public across the city not to become complacent in living with the threat of COVID-19 amid the complex developments of the pandemic in some Vietnamese localities with new cases of unknown source.

Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh chairs a meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss futher measures to slow the pread of COVID-19. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Chairman Chinh also called for continued efforts to step up tracing, isolating and testing of all contacts of new COVID-19 cases in a bid to slow the spread of the virus and bring the number of locally acquired cases down.

He stressed the need for authorities in districts and relevant agencies to take responsibility for putting in place approciate infection prevention and control measures, and upholding their commitments to COVID-19 regulations. The focus should be paid on tightening oversight of people who are self-isolating at home, Mr Chinh added.

“Da Nang now sees a growing number of returnees from other Vietnamese localities. Hence, staff at COVID-19 checkpoints must make greater efforts to increase checks on persons entering and leaving the city at points of entry. Hash penalties must be imposed on returnees from affected areas who provide false and misleading information for health officials”, Vice Chairman Chinh emphasised.

The Da Nang government has already issued an plan for rolling out the COVID-19 testing programme for target groups in the city. The health agency will carry out the COVID-19 screening test for these people in line with the guidelines and recommendations from national and municipal governments.

There have been 41 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Da Nang after the resurgence of COVID-19 on June 18, the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control’s figures released on Tuesday (June 22). All new cases have been identified as primary close contacts of the 59-year- old security guard in the Duy Tan Plastic Company who tested positive for the virus on June 18. 

Da Nang reported on Tuesday that more than 5,550 people had their swab samples taken for COVID-19 testing. The tested persons are close contacts of infected patients and those who have been to exposure sites in the city.

Da Nang has already tracked down 517 primary close contacts of the infected security guard, and put them under quarantine at designated facilities. Besides, local healthcare workers are putting in place close monitoring of more than 2,330 secondary close contacts at their places of residence.

Tracers have also identified 61 close contacts of a 22-year-old worker in Universal Alloy Corporation Vietnam (UAC)’s Da Nang facility located in the Hi-tech Park who has tested positive for the virus. All close contacts have been placed under quarantine at designated facilities.

Medical workers have taken swab samples of 645 contacts in UAC's Da Nang facility of the infected worker to test for the virus. UAC's Da Nang facility has closed part of its plant to carry out disinfectant sprays for the prevention of COVID-19.

In addition, 10 primary close contacts and 54 secondary close contacts of the infected worker have been identified in Hoa Vang District. All primary close contacts have been put under quarantine at designated facilities while secondary close contacts are self-isolating at home.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L