During his Wednesday interview with DA NANG Newspaper, Mr. Huynh Anh Nhien, Chairman of the Hoa Thuan Dong Ward People's Committee in Hai Chau District confirmed the truth that at a narrow alley at No 524 Hoang Dieu, belonging to residential group No. 22 has documented an accumulation of 65 cases of coronavíu since the first infection was logged on August 18.

He also completely refuted a deeply concerning rumour that many residents living the above-mentioned alley contracted the coronavirus due to their recent gathering to watch a conflict here. Actually, the gathering was immediately dispersed by functional local forces. 

The narrow alley No. 524 Hoang Dieu now houses a total of 44 households with a combined total of 206 residents.

On August 18, this alley recorded the first 2 COVID-19 community-detected cases, all of which were related to the blockaded Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market and Dong Da Market. Upon the detection, this alley has been put under lockdown.

That some close contacts of the previously-confirmed cases recently tested positive for the virus after an incubation period may also lead to such a hike in infections the alley is witnessing.

In addition, the alley is only about 1 - 1.2m wide. It is so much narrow. If residents of two separate houses talking at the doorsteps to each other without wearing face masks may increase the risk of transmissions because the 2-metre distance as requested is not guaranteed.

Regarding appropriate solutions to well control the virus spread in the coming time, the ward’s police will still strengthen the publicity of safety measures against COVID-19, especially through portable speakers in parallel with tightening the checks and supervisions at ward-wide checkpoints.

“Focus will be on continuously reminding residents in the alley to abide by the ‘shelter-in-place’ mandate. Strict penalties will be levied on those who flout the rule”, said Mr. Nhien said.

Reporting by DAC MANH – Translating by A.T