The Da Nang government has issued a plan for the rollout of asymptomatic testing across the city from September 6 – 20.

It is crucial action to help the city to find hidden COVID-19 infections and isolate new cases in a bid to break the chains of transmission in the city, thereby identify appropriate measures to contain the spread of virus.

A healthcare worker collecting nasal swab for COVID-19 testing from a male resident in Hai Chau District. Photo: LE HUNG

All people in very high risk areas for COVID-19, including red zones and locked down areas, will get COVID-19 tests every 3 days.

Targeted testing ‘One door one test’ will be conducted in yellow and green zones. All household representatives in yellow areas along with household representatives from 50% of the total households in green zones will get tested for coronavirus every 7 days during the 2 rounds of mass testing: first round from September 7- 9 and the next one from September 14 -16.

Employees in supermarkets, convenience stores, businesses, and supply services of food and essential goods that are allowed to re-open are required to undergo COVID-19 tests every 7 days. At least 50% of the total employees in each unit or group of these organizations that have the same risk for developing infection will be collected their swab samples to test for COVID-19. Testing frequency may be increased if needed in a bid to ensure early detection of COVID-19 cases and efficient treatment as well as prevent the further spread of coronavirus.

Delivery staff, app-based shippers, and stallholders at wet markets will be offered COVID tests every 3 days.

Employees in businesses which are allowed to stay open across the city and are adopting the ‘stay-at-work’ solution will undergo COVID-19 tests every 3-5 days. At least 50% of the total employees in each unit or group of these businesses that have the same risk for developing infection will be collected their swab samples to test for COVID-19.

Healthcare facilities will conduct coronavirus testing for their staff, patients and their family caregivers in line with the city government’s guidelines.

 Authorities at ward and commune levels must take responsibility for encouraging their local residents to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the arrangement by healthcare workers. The focus must be on ensuring that the rollout of mass testing is implemented in safe and effective practices.

Reporting by LE HUNG – translating by H.L