Vice Chairman of City People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung, Head of the Steering Committee, chaired the meeting in the afternoon of January 7, 2021 – Photo: Phu Khanh
Not to let the epidemic spread…
Reporting at the meeting, Deputy Director of Department of Health Hoang Duc Hanh mentioned that from December 31, 2020 to January 7, 2021, Hanoi recorded 8 new cases on people from abroad quarantined immediately upon entry and 1 re-positive case on patient 1,391. According to Mr. Hoang Duc Hanh, Hanoi had passed 143 consecutive days without recording new cases in the community. However, Deputy Director Hoang Duc Hanh said that the risk of the pandemic entering the city was even higher than in previous times due to the increasingly complicated epidemic situation. Concentrated isolation in some units was not strictly carried out in accordance with regulations, resulting in the risk of disease transmission from quarantined people upon returning to the community being noticeably high when zoning was not promptly conducted for treatment.
One typical case was the case of patient 1,498 (male, 21 years old, hometown in Ha Khanh ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province) who left the quarantine area still pending second test results. The Department of Health had instructed that Hanoi Center for Disease Control and related units urgently investigate and zone off relevant locations, sample, and immediately isolate his close contacts (F1). Fortunately, 13 F1s of patient 1,498 were tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Deputy Director Hoang Duc Hanh suggested that functional units review all stages of the centralized isolation process. All individuals from abroad must be quarantined for 14 days and must not leave concentration areas without second test results. Such individuals must then continue to self-isolate and monitor themselves at home for 14 days to avoid spreading the disease to the community.
Regarding the 5 Chinese people who illegally entered Hoang Mai district on the morning of January 7, the representative of the District People’s Committee said that they all wore masks upon contacting. Examination showed no signs of coughing or fever. Immediately after getting notice, the rapid response team from the District Medical Center conducted epidemiological investigation and disinfection at locations where such individuals stopped by), took test samples (pending), and quarantined them.
Strictly handle cases of non-compliance with Covid-19 prevention and control regulations
Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung said that regarding patient 1498, the case was deemed an incident and the city had directed that CDC Hanoi fully inform the localities and conduct tracing starting the night of January 4 and finishing at dawn of January 5. Department of Health had taken the disciplinary act of suspension from work on Deputy Director of Chuong My District Medical Center and would have two more staff members of Chuong My District Medical Center be subject to this disciplinary act.
Regarding the case of patient 1498, the Vice Chairman asked the units to strictly learn from experience; localities to consolidate their Steering Committees, hold all necessary briefings, and participate in relevant meetings with the City Steering Committee, etc. In the coming time, to ensure the good observance of Covid-19 prevention regulations, the City Steering Committees and local steering committees shall strictly implement the documents issued by the Central Government, City Party Committee, and City; and continue to review and rectify Covid-19 prevention and control. People’s Committees of districts and towns shall continue to strengthen communication and strictly take measures to prevent and control the pandemic so that people can welcome the Lunar New Year in a happy and safe atmosphere, thereby contributing to the successful organization of major events in the capital city and throughout the country, especially the 13th National Party Congress. The Vice Chairman also suggested asking every household and citizen to report on any case of illegal entry. “The city will continue to strictly and publicly handle cases of non-compliance with Covid-19 control measures in public places”, said the Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee.
Regarding the task of centralized isolation, the Chief of the Steering Committee required good management of facilities as well as centralized isolated individuals; close supervision of Covid-19 prevention and control at quarantine facilities; and fulfillment of the 14-day quarantine requirement. Local authorities shall manage well cases of self-isolation post centralized isolation, avoiding making the same mistake as with the case of patient 1498.
Vice Chairman Chu Xuan Dung assigned the Department of Health the task of strengthening supervision and early detection of suspected cases in the community; timely zoning and quarantine, and thorough handling of outbreaks, avoiding spread; and ensuring safety in hospitals and heath facilities. District-level health centers shall work closely with local centralized quarantine facilities, not allowing those subject to centralized quarantine back to the community when quarantine time has not expired or test results not reported.
The Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee also requested that the City Public Security Department control, timely prevent, and strictly handle cases of illegal entry; find out locations where those illegally entering Hoang Mai stopped by, and promptly obtain all necessary information in order to cooperate with relevant units in ensuring that there are no more cases of infection in the community.
Phu Khanh