During an online meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss further steps to tackle COVID-19, Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang directed the health agency to make thorough assessment of the pandemic situation after 7 days of tougher COVID-19 cubs with all the movement and activities banned. The Da Nang government will look at the latest advice from the health agency to take appropriate action to deal with the pandemic after 8:00 am on August 23.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (left) and municipal People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh (right) co-chair an online meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss further steps to tackle COVID-19. Photo: LE HUNG

Secretary Quang asked the health agency to make thorough analysis and assessment of the mass testing program since July 31 in order to enable appropriate measures to be taken to narrow local lockdown areas or impose strict local lockdown order on areas which are classified as high-risk areas.

“Hai Chau district is identified as an emerging COVID-19 hotspot with many residential settings being moved into 'high' risk COVID alert category. Hence, the health agency must conduct COVID-19 testing for all people in the high-risk areas. Patrol forces must be deployed to all alleys across the city to make sure that each individual is sticking to the recommended COVID-19 prevention and control measures or face hash penalties for non-adherence, " emphasised Secretary Quang.

The Da Nang top leader called on officials at local level to take all necessary measures to secure an adequate supply of food and essential items for local people in coming days.

Mr Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, the Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People's Council said that most people in Da Nang show their willingness to abide by the current direction from the municipal administration to isolate themselves in efforts to work together with the city to contain the spread of the virus.   

“Da Nang saw a rise in daily COVID-19 infections after 3 days of tougher COVID-19 curbs but this is all in accordance with the Da Nang government’s forecasts. Da Nang is moving in the right direction in the fight against the deadly disease. The containment of COVID-19 is a key priority for the city authorities”, Mr Triet remarked.

Deputy Secretary Triet (right) delivers his address at the Thursday’s meeting. Photo: LE HUNG

Deputy Secretary Triet asked heads of residential groups to keep a close watch on their local residents to ensure their strict compliance of COVID-19 testing requirements with a focus on enhancing surveillance of those living in rented accommodation, hired labourers and workers living in accommodation camps. The intention is to prevent the evasion of testing among these people.

“Some public opinions suggest that the Da Nang government should extend COVID-19 cubs for several more days if new daily COVID infections continue to rise with local cases of unknown sources. The COVID-19 restrictions should stay in place until the city completes 2-3 rounds of COVID-19 mass testing for local residents in a bid to find all cases, and identify all contacts and high-risk areas," said Mr Triet. .

Municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh said that the city’s battle against the deadly virus has yielded positive outcomes after 4 days of tougher COVID-19 curbs.  

“The city will continue to take strong measures to successful control the COVID-19 pandemic. The municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control will make the best possible decisions to deal with the pandemic," remarked Chairman Chinh.

The city government leader urged the health agency to mobilize retired healthcare workers and youth union members to support the city’s efforts in the battle against COVID-19.

“Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread in local lockdown areas and ring-fencing COVID-19 hotspots. Son Tra District remains a COVID-19 hotspot. In fact, the city has taken more drastic measures but the COVID-19 situation in local lockdown areas in Son Tra District is still complicated. Therefore, stronger enforcement of strict stay-at-home orders is needed in Da Nang in order to take action against anyone who leave home without a reasonable excuse’, Mr Chinh directed.

Reporting by LE HUNG –translating by H.L