Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang and municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh co-chaired an online meeting of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control on Monday afternoon.

Secretary Quang said that the Da Nang government has decided to implement its pilot program to provide at-home COVID-19 test kit for residents in Hoa Cuong Nam Ward, Hai Chau District that allows for self-collection and testing at home under the guidance and a close watch from local healthcare  workers. He remarked that if the pilot program gains success, it will be expanded into other parts of the city.

A scene of Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) and municipal People’'s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh in the Monday’s online meeting. Photo: LE HUNG

Positive signs in the city’s coronavirus fight

The Da Nang Party Chief emphasized that Da Nang has got positive signs in its battle against coronavirus after 7 days of tougher COVID-19 curbs following a downward trend in coronavirus cases for two consecutive days.

Mr Quang said Da Nang saw the peak in COVID-19 cases on August 21 with 197, and the following two days saw a decline in cases with 183 on August 22, and 152 on August 23.

However, designated quarantine facilities recorded the highest number of cases touching 64 on August 23.

Secretary Quang stressed the need for paying close attention to those who have already completed their compulsory quarantine period and are self-isolating at home as some new positive cases are confirmed in these people.  

Around 2,400 primary close contacts are being placed in 47 designated quarantine facilities across Da Nang.

Mr Quang called for enhanced monitoring of the designated quarantine facilities to ensure social distancing in a bid to prevent cross transmission in these venues.

He called for concerted efforts from the health agency and relevant units to help Hai Chau District which is at most risk of coronavirus resurgence to curb the spread of the virus.

The Da Nang top leader directed the health agency to roll out mass testing across the city to reach all people who are staying in hotels, living in floating cages and fishing boats. He asked healthcare workers to go door-to -door in ring-fencing hotpots to take nasal swab of all residents to test for the virus, as well as enhance surveillance on them to make sure that they are isolating themselves and away from others under the current direction from the Da Nang government to prevent the spread of the virus.

Better coordination between health agency and relevant units needed to conduct investigations into COVID-19 cases

Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh called on officials to continue to take drastic action to tackle COVID-19 amid the complex developments of the pandemic.

Mr Chinh called for better coordination between the Da Nang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and police to conduct investigations into COVID-19 cases and quickly identify all contacts.

A healthcare professional in personal protective clothing giving a vaccinate against COVID-19 to an eligible man in mask. Photo: LE HUNG

Chairman Chinh urged Hoa Vang District authorities to create the most favourable conditions for farmers to go to the fields to harvest rice and crops. In addition, the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Lien Chieu District authorities were asked to consider reopening the Da Son slaughterhouse where fresh meat products will be supplied to local residents.

The municipal government leader demanded authorities at local level to provide timely support for immigrant students and tenants in their local areas.

Doctor Ton That Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang CDC, said that 12,782 people linked to the Hoa Cuong wholesale market cluster have so far got tested for COVID-19, and 232 of them have found positive for the virus. Infected patients are stall holders, workers in this market, and patrons. In addition, 624 primary close contact of confirmed cases linked to the Hoa Cuong wholesale market cluster tested positive for the virus, all in ring-fencing hotspots.

Till date, 169,140 vaccine doses have been distributed in Da Nang, and 127,858 doses have been administered in the city. Of the figure, 112,630 people have received their first dose while 15,228 others got their second shot.

Colonel Tran Dinh Chung, the Deputy Director of the municipal Police Department, said that travel permits have been issued to 788 eligible shippers from 14 accredited suppliers of food and essential goods.

Fines of VND 86.5 million on Monday were imposed on 10 people for breaking the city’s COVID-19 rules. In total, over VND 3.55 billion worth of fines have been levied on 1,022 violators of the city’s COVID-19 restrictions since June 18, according to latest figures released by the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

According to the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, the taskforce at checkpoints at entry points on Monday conducted COVID-19 checks on 4,094 vehicles, during which, requiring 5,098 people to have their body temperature measured and declare their health status, along with conducting rapid tests for 284 people. In addition, 21 vehicles were refused entry into the city.

Reporting by LE HUNG – translating by H.L