Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has a working session with Hanoi leaders on COVID-19 prevention and control on August 4 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam inspected COVID-19 prevention and control work in Hanoi on August 4.
During a working session with the municipal Command for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Dam said as the highest-risk area, Hanoi has so far put the pandemic under control, which is attributable to efforts of the entire political system and people.
He noted that as the pandemic remains complicated with the rapid and dangerous spread of the new variant, Hanoi needs to take more drastic actions, collect public feedback and closely monitor activities during social distancing period.
Quickly tracing down infections, and especially protecting pandemic-free areas are key to success, he said.
As COVID-19 testing is especially important, deciding on the success of the work, Dam urged the city to review and enhance its testing capacity, as well as pool the involvement of private hospitals in the effort.
Hanoi needs to fully tap its existing infrastructure to fight the pandemic, he stated.
Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh affirmed that the city will roll out vaccinations for residents after receiving vaccines.
The same day, Dam inspected a vaccination area at the headquarters of FPT Group in Cau Giay district. As scheduled, 5,000 shots are being administered there within a week, starting from July 31.
On August 2, the municipal Health Department issued an urgent notice asking all local residents to immediately contact local medical authorities when showing one or more symptoms of coughing, high temperature, sore throat, breathing trouble, tiredness, reduction or loss of taste or smell.
They must contact local medical stations to receive guidelines and get free COVID-19 testing.
Residents can also call hotlines 0969 082 115, or 0949 396 115 for advice and support.
The People’s Committee of Hanoi on August 1 issued an official dispatch asking localities across the city not to allow local residents to travel outside the city during the period of social distancing.
The order was made amid complicated developments of the pandemic when a number of COVID-19 clusters, which originated from people returning to Hanoi from pandemic-hit regions, have been spreading quickly.
The municipal People's Committee requested all localities to assess high-risk areas, especially hospitals, industrial parks and clusters, populous residential areas and concentrated quarantine facilities, while taking the initiative in making decisionss on higher control measures during the period of social distancing.
It also urged localities and agencies to promptly roll out policies to support employees and employers who are affected by COVID-19.
The capital city’s administration also asked central and local agencies, units and socio-political organisations, as well as diplomatic corps and international organisations in the city to strictly abide by social distancing regulations and only allow a few staff to work at office.
Localities and agencies were requested to conduct COVID-19 vaccinations promptly, ensuring equal and transparent vaccine access.
Meanwhile, Hanoi has also been preparing personnel and infrastructure system to become ready for a hi-speed massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign as soon as vaccines arrive in the capital city.
Currently, localities across Hanoi are conducting vaccination in the order of priority.
Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung said that the city has got plans ready to receive and inject vaccines in a timely and effective manner.
To reach the capacity of administering 200,000 vaccine doses per day, the city has set up fixed and mobile vaccination facilities throughout the city with a total of 1,200 injection stations and 100 mobile emergency teams, said Dung.
Hanoi currently has 704 vaccination teams, while additional 496 others will be formed soon.
Major General Do Thai Son, head of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of the Hanoi Capital High Command said that the command has completed vaccine storages with a total capacity of keeping 1.5 million doses and medical supplies and solvents serving vaccination activities./.
