Amid the complex developments of COVID-19, Da Nang has recorded more new coronavirus infections in the community in recent days, many of which from unknown sources. Tracers have found it very hard to conduct investigations into cases that have been detected in crowed places such as businesses, catering establishments and supermarkets, as well find it diffcult to identify their contacts.

A traffic police officer pulling over a car driver to check his COVID-19 papers at a checkpoint on National Highway 14B in Hoa Nhon Commune, Hoa Vang District before he enters the city. Photo: LE HUNG

Strict control at entry points in the city

According to the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, a combined total of 6 checkpoints have been till date set up at entry points in the city to conduct rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 for people entering and returning to Da Nang from other parts of the country. Since August 19, the COVID-19 antigen tests have detected 65 cases from 176,247 samples collected from people from other Vietnamese localities at entry points. However, only 43 from the 65 samples have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, and they have been hospitalized to treat COVID-19.

Doctor Ton That Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted the huge efforts the COVID-19 taskforce staffing checkpoints at entry points have made to conduct antigen tests to identify positive cases earlier so that they have been isolated timely, helping curb the spread of the virus.

Strict observance of COVID-19 guidelines needed

Mr Thanh stated that the city has continued to record an increase in daily COVID-19 cases in recent days, with many community cases of unknown sources of transmission.

Life has largely returned to normal in the city with many activities and services being allowed to resume. Therefore, local residents find it more convenient to travel to work and participate in activities and services.

“The epidemiological investigation of confirmed cases demonstrates that many places where they had visited whilst being infectious have been missed as they had participated in too many activities and services and they couldn't remember them all. As a result, there have been many hidden cases related to previous transmission chains, causing a rise in unknown cases spreading the virus”, said Dr. Thanh.

He highlighted the need for enhanced compliance monitoring and enforcement of QR code check-in rules in crowded places to support contact tracing efforts in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus.

During his meeting with members of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held late afternoon on November 26, Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh stressed the need for the city to stay at high alert against COVID-19, and continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines to tackle the virus.

He said that the focus must be on tightening controls at entry points to reduce the chance of people from other parts of the country to bring coronavirus into the city. In addition, the heed must be paid on educating the public to strict comply with the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, including face mask and social distancing rules, in order to protect themselves and their wider community from the deadly disease.

Data published by the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control showed that from October 16 to November 27, fines of over VND 110 million have been imposed on 15 persons for non-compliance with COVID-19 rules.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – LE HUNG – Translating by H.L