Da Nang focuses on binding COVID-19 hotspots, quickly contact tracing to curb virus spread

Healthcare workers in Son Tra District collecting nasal swab sample for COVID-19 testing from traders at The Tho Quang Fishing Wharf. Photo: LE HUNG

Many cases were identified after they had become ill with symptoms

Lien Chieu District has seen the highest number of confirmed cases in the city. 270 cases were recorded in the district from December 1 to 1:00 pm on December 6, and 244 of those cases have the potential to spread the virus to others.

Lien Chieu District People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Dang Huy said that the focus has been on quickly conducting investigation into confirmed cases, identifying exposure sites, and keeping people informed about COVID-19 case locations but the district saw a low number of people who have been linked to published exposure sites showing up.

Mr Huy pointed out that many cases have been detected when they went to healthcare facilities for check- ups due to being ill with symptoms. He stressed the need to conduct mass testing to allow positive cases caught in order to stop the spread of the virus.

Son Tra District now has the second-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Da Nang with 105 COVID-19 cases registered in the past 6 days, of which, 88 likely to spread the virus to others. COVID-19 clusters have been identified on An Hai Bac 8 Street in An Hai Bac Ward, Thuan Phuoc Seafood Company, Man Quang Area, and Le Tan Trung Street in Tho Quang Ward.

Son Tra District People’s Committee Vice Chairman Huynh Van Hung said that most of the new cases were identified when they sought medical check-ups in healthcare facilities due to having COVID-19 symptoms such as fever and cough. The majority of those cases are workers in industrial parks who stay in rented housing.

Mr Hung highlighted the need to effectively manage the above-mentioned high-risk groups to improve the COVID-19 situation in the district. The heed is given to identifying all tenants in rental properties and offering COVID-19 testing for them in an attempt to find hidden cases. In addition, COVID-19 booster shots will be administered to those who are yet to be vaccinated.

Mr Hung also said that the district is ready to start the city’s pilot scheme for COVID-19 patients who have mild or no symptoms to recover at home.

Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ngo Thi Kim Yen said that nearly 50% of the city’s new cases have been registered in Lien Chieu District in recent days, and cases have evenly spread evenly in 5 wards. Hoa Khanh Nam and Hoa Khanh Bac wards have the highest number of community-acquired cases in Lien Chieu District. Meanwhile, Hoa Khanh Nam Ward is at very high risk for coronavirus.

Mrs Yen urged Lien Chieu District authorities to conduct thorough contact tracing of each confirmed cases,and find out all potential COVID-19 hotspots to impose tight restrictions on these high-risk areas in order to effectively control the spread of the virus.

Healthcare workers in Son Tra District collecting nasal swab sample for COVID-19 testing from traders at The Tho Quang Fishing Wharf. Photo: LE HUNG

Vaccinated people urged to stay on high alert against COVID-19

Mrs Tran Thanh Thuy, the Acting Director of the municipal Department of Health remarked that the number of new cases now being reported in Da Nang is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources.

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 such crowed places as businesses, catering establishments and supermarkets, as well find it very hard to identify their contacts.

Mrs Thuy stated that the subjective psychology of people when they have been vaccinated make them ignore the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health in crowded places such as restaurants, wet markets and supermarkets. She urged vaccinated individuals to remain a high alert against COVID-19 and take action to protect themselves and others as about 78% of the city’s COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in vaccinated individuals.

She is advising all people, especially healthcare workers and employees in businesses, departments and agencies to avoid public spaces and unnecessary social gatherings, especially events with large numbers of people or crowds, strictly observe the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, in a bid to lower the chance that they will be exposed to coronavirus.

The health agency will develop a testing plan for people in high-risk areas, high-risk groups and those who have entered or returned to the city from other parts of the country in the previous 14 days.

Da Nang has temporarily suspended the operation of COVID-19 checkpoints at entry points. Therefore, the focus must be on recognizing the role of COVID-19 Community Taskforces in monitoring arrivals and returnees from other Vietnamese localities, those who are self-isolating at home, and COVID-19 patients who are quarantined to recover at home.

Source: Da Nang To day