COVID-19 fight strengthened on high risk of Omicron entry
Hanoi (VNA) – The Health Ministry has sent a dispatch to chairpersons of municipal and provincial People’s Committees on strengthening
COVID-19 prevention and control measures against Omicron variant.
On November 25, the World Health Organisation declared Omicron (B.1.1.529),
which was first detected in South Africa, as a SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern.
As of December 2, at least 27 countries and territories had reported
infections related to the variant. Vietnam has not yet detected any cases infected with the new variant, however the risk of its entry and transmission
is very high.
Under the dispatch, localities were asked to continue
effectively following the Government’s Resolution No.128/NQ-CP and the Health
Ministry’s Decision No.4800/QD-BYT on the effective implementation of
principles 5K vaccine, medicines technology public awareness, focusing on
the main pillars of testing, vaccination and public awareness.
They must build scenarios to cope with the pandemic at the
grassroots level, improve the capacity of the grassroots medical system, ensure sufficient
medicines and medical supplies, and continue upholding the role of
community-based COVID-19 teams and mobile medical stations.
They were assigned to enhance supervision over entries from abroad,
especially those from Omicron-hit areas such as the southern African region and several
European countries, as well as those showing symptoms of coughing, high temperature
to discover infections. At the same time, they must accelerate vaccination for
those aged above 12, with priority given to those aged above 50 and living with
underlying diseases.
About COVID-19 treatment, the top priority will be mitigating
deaths by ensuring sufficient medical supplies and other necessary conditions
at the earliest.
Cities and provinces
must enhance inspection in agencies, units, businesses, especially in
hospitals, manufacturing facilities, supermarkets, airports and bus stations
while regularly updating their statuses on the COVID-19 safe living map./.