The biggest threat to the Da Nang and local authorities are "all concerned about" in the city's fight against COVID are the risk of re-introduction or importation of SARS-CoV-2 into the city, Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang said on Sunday afternoon.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) warned officials and citizens of the risk of re-introduction or importation of SARS-CoV-2 into the city at a meeting on Sunday afternoon. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Mr Quang urged functional forces to strengthen screening measures at points of entry, and enforce COVID-19 rules on all people entering and returing to the city in order to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks from them.

The city top leader also called on every one across the city to play their small part to limit the spread of this deadly virus.

Chairman Quang highlighted huge efforts the heath agency and Thanh Khe District authorities have made to slow the spread of the virus in the ring-fenced COVID hotspot at the triangle area of Le Duan - Hoang Hoa Tham - Ly Thai To streets. All residents in lockdown have to date been tested for the virus three times in order help the health agency to generate accurate COVID risk assessment.

Tightening controls at points of entry and calling on each individual in the city to play their part in enhancing surveillance on every one arriving from affected areas are among key factors that contribute to Da Nang’s success in containning the threat of coronavirus variants spreading in the city, Mr Quang remarked.

“The heed must be paid on going door to door to make sure that every one across Da Nang is adhering to advice and guidance on COVID-19 from the municipal government and health bodies to keep themselves and others safe. Besides, local authorities should encourage their residents to engage actively in timely detecting and reporting about illegal aliens to functional forces to handle these cases”, Chairman Quang emphasised .

Municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh said that the government has agreed to continue carrying out the fourth SARS-CoV-2 screening test for residents in the ring-fenced COVID hotspot at the triangle area of Le Duan - Hoang Hoa Tham - Ly Thai To streets in a bid to to enable appropriate measures to be taken to contain the spread of the virus.

Chairman Chinh demanded officials to enforce COVID-19 rules in businesses and construction sites operating in the city. Leaders of companies and organisations must bear full responsibility for COVID-19 transmissions caused by their visitors from affected areas or giving false and misleading information of these people to health officials.

Da Nang on Sunday ( June 27) recorded 2 new confirmed cases, all contracted locally, in the 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total to 81 after the resurgence of COVID-19 in June, the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control (CDC)’s figure shows. All new cases are in managed isolation and linked to the 59-year- old security guard in the Duy Tan Plastic Company who tested positive for the virus on June 18.

Till date, Da Nang has already tracked down 573 primary close contacts of the infected patients, and put them under quarantine at designated facilities while local healthcare workers are putting in place close monitoring of more than 2,800 secondary close contacts at their places of residence.

The city has to date fenced off 12 COVID-19 hotspots and quarantined 235 returnees from affected areas.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L