In response to the detection of some COVID-19 cases in the community over recent days, Da Nang functional agencies, on Monday morning, started a mass testing campaign, the so-called “One door-one test” (ODOT), which utilised PCR assays to test one family member (age>18) from each of the more than 300,000 families across the city. Likewise, all residents living in the blockaded areas and employees working at enterprises which are applying the so-called ‘3- on- the- spot” (on-site production, on-site dining, on-site rest) approach are also subject to the testing.

Da Nang functional agencies conduct a mass testing campaign, the so-called “One door-one test” drive, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

The ongoing mass COVID-19 testing rollout is in progress from August 16 - 18 and August 19 – 21.

The move aims to spot and isolating positive cases from the community as soon as possible, thus urgently zoning and accurately assessing the level of infection risk in each district, ward, commune, hamlet, and residential group for more appropriate pandemic prevention and control measures in the coming time.

According to Doctor Ngo Thi Kim Yen, the Director of the municipal Department of Health,
It is known that the total capacity of testing for SARS-CoV-2 by the Realtime RT-PCR method at medical facilities in Da Nang is currently 9,500-10,000 pooled samples/day (equivalent to a total of 95,000 - 100,000 people/day). It means that, within the 7-day period, a total of more than 600,000 locals are expected to test for the virus.

Medical staffers from some medical establishments and testing agencies are joining the conduction of the large-scale testing drive. Included are the Da Nang Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Da Nang General Hospital, Lung Hospital, Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital, Da Nang C Hospital, Hospital 199 under the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan My Hospital, Family Hospital andThien Nhan High-Tech Medical Diagnostic Centre.

A public servant from the Hoa Thuan Dong Ward authorities in Hai Chau District specifically review list of locals for the sampling to avoid overlapping and omission, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ut, the Principal of Ho Nghinh Junior High School in Hoa Cuong Nam Ward, Hai Chau District serves as a volunteer at a sampling point with the task of recording locals’ information on sample tubes, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

Thanks to the proper division of locals into small groups with sampling sessions conducted from 20 - 30 minutes apart, no crowded situation is reported and the physically distancing order during the sampling is ensured, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

Health workers in Hai Chau District take nasal swab samples from the representatives of the families in Hoa Thuan Dong Ward, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

After completing the sampling on each person, medical staff carefully disinfect their hands to avoid catching the highly contagious virus, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

Each resident who is about to has swab samples taken for COVID-19 testing must clearly fill out all personal information on the declaration form, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

The elderly are given the priority to have their samples collected first, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

A foreigner staying in An Hai Dong Ward, Son Tra District, has his nasal swab samples collected for COVID-19 testing, August 16, 2021 Photo: LE HUNG

Reporting by LE HUNG – Translating by A.T