Da Nang’s contact tracing effort is ramping up again in the midst of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. The move came following the emergence of new chains of COVID-19 infection linked to new cases that were recorded on November 4. In addition, COVID-19 testing is being rolled out for those who are higher risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Health workers in Son Tra district taking nasal swab samples of fishermen and traders at the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf for COVID-19 testing after active cases were detected here. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Amid the complex developments of COVID-19 in the city, Da Nang is urging every one across Da Nang, especially people entering and returning to Da Nang from COVID-19 affected areas, to increase compliance with the city’s COVID-19 guidelines in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus and keep themselves and others safe.  

Quickly identifying all COVID-19 contacts

Doctor Nguyen Van Thuyen, the Deputy Director of the Son Tra District Medical Center said that the focus has been on tracking down all contacts of 7 cases identified in An Hai Bac Ward on November 3 and 4, as well as implementing lockdown in residential areas where these infected persons are living.

“As of November 4, more than 190 primary close contacts have been identified, of whom, 183 are being placed under quarantine in designated facilities and the remainder are self-isolating at home. In addition, COVID-19 testing has been conducted for more than 750 COVID-19 contacts”, Mr Thuyen remarked.

Da Nang is likely to see an increase in new cases and their contacts in the coming days. In its efforts to prepare for possible spike in COVID-19 contacts, the authorities in Son Tra District has created an action plan for setting up more designated quarantine facilities.

Currently, a combined total of 45 families with 110 people are being placed under full lockdown. They are residents living alleys from 181B to 213B on Nguyen Cong Tru Street, living at the addresses from 75 to 87 on Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, and living at the addresses from 95 to 107 on Nguyen Trung Truc Street.

Healthcare workers conducted coronavirus testing for all people working in the Tho Quang Wharf on November 4 and November 5 after one trader had tested positive for the virus. In addition, the rollout of regular testing for those who are staying in managed isolation in designated facilities and lockdown areas along with persons who have completed their mandatory quarantine period, and market stallholders will continue across the city.

Doctor Pham Chi Cong, the Da Nang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital said that after a patient had tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital’s second facility when visiting the venue for health check-ups, 11 healthcare workers who are close contacts of the infected person tested negative for the virus once and are being put under quarantine in a designated facility.

Mr Cong remarked that the hospital’s second facility remains normal operation with proper precautions in place.

A healthcare worker collecting nasal swab sample for COVID-19 testing from a woman who is self-isolating at home in Son Tra district. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Enhancing surveillance on high-risk areas  

Doctor Ton That Thanh, the Director of the municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that four new chains of COVID-19 transmission, of which, three are at a high risk for the spread of the virus, have been identified in Da Nang.

Currently, 4 out of 7 districts in the city have recorded cases that are high risk for COVID-19 spread, and they are Son Tra, Thanh Khe, Hai Chau and Ngu Hanh Son.

The Da Nang CDC has worked with relevant units to track down and isolate 202 primary close contacts and 137 secondary close contacts. In addition, a total of 9 residential areas involving 159 families with 466 people are being put under full lockdown: 3 in each of Hai Chau  and Son Tra districts, one in each of Thanh Khe, Cam Le and Ngu Hanh Son districts.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health, Mr Nguyen Tien Hong stressed the need for the Da Nang CDC to work closely with district medical centers to quickly trace all contacts of confirmed cases, identify and implement lockdown in high-risk areas.

Mr Hong highlighted the importance role of authorities at local level in keep a close watch on people entering and returning to Da Nang from COVID-19 affected areas in order to reduce the chance of these people to bring coronavirus into the city.

The focus must be on enhancing surveillance and monitoring of eating and drinking establishments to make sure that they are complying with the city’s COVID-19 rules or face tough punishments for non-compliance.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – translating by H.L