Tubes containing samples for COVID-19 testing (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi has raised its COVID-19 alertlevel as it is currently at “very high” risk of coronavirus transmission, accordingto Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung.
At a meeting of the city’s steering committeefor COVID-19 prevention and control on August 5, the chairman said Hanoi, whichhas recorded three infection cases over the last few days, must conduct PCR tests for thedisease even if the number of tests can reach hundreds of thousands since onlythis testing method can confirm whether a person is negative or positive forSARS-CoV-2.
He asked local hospitals to carry out timely PCRtests for any people returning from pandemic-hit areas and showing cough orfever so that patients won’t have to visit different hospitals like a recentcase in Bac Tu Liem district because the later they are detected, the morevirus from them could spread to others.
He demanded continued review of all peoplecoming or returning from central Da Nang city – the current COVID-19 cluster,nearby Quang Nam province and other places related to confirmed patients. Asidefrom filling in health declarations and being monitored, they also need toself-quarantine at home.
Additionally, any people travelling from Da Nangsince July 15 still need to undergo PCR tests though they have had rapid tests,Chung said, asking commune-level clinics, district-level health centres andhotline operating units to send staff to take samples for testing whenreceiving information from local residents, who must also self-quarantinepending test results.
At the meeting, Chung repeated the request thatworkplaces in Hanoi must arrange body temperature checking, hand sanitiser andfumigation while keeping a safe distance must be practiced at restaurants, andbars, night clubs, festivals and events with mass gatherings banned.
According to the municipal People’s Committee, alarge number of local people have travelled to Da Nang recently.
To contain the spread of COVID-19, theadministration has regulated penalties for 13 types of violation related to thedisease prevention and control.
Notably, any people who do not wear face masksat public places will be fined up to 300,000 VND (13 USD). Those improperlydispose of used face masks at public places will be fined a maximum of 5million VND, or up to 7 million VND if they litter pavements or roads withdiscarded face masks. Besides, those hiding the COVID-19 status of themselvesor others will face punishments of up to 2 million VND./.
VNA
