Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: Local authorities must strictly and effectively implement social distancing measures.

On the afternoon of August 24th, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control held a meeting to hear and give opinions on the Covid-19 prevention and control work in the past period and to implement tasks and solutions in the coming time.

Comrades Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control; and Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Standing Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, co-chaired the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

STRIVE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE AND TIMELY SUPPLY OF GOODS TO THE PEOPLE

As of 8:00 AM on August 24th, Nghe An province recorded 993 cases of infection across 21 localities, with 323 cases having recovered. Specifically, from 6:00 AM on August 22nd to 6:00 AM on August 24th, the province recorded 165 new cases of infection (including 63 community cases).,The highest number of cases is still in Vinh City with 75, including 33 community cases. The entire province is currently under centralized quarantine.13,078 cases, 144,167 people received the vaccine (approximately 4.36% of the population).

Assessing the epidemic situation, Director of the Department of Health Duong Dinh Chinh stated that Vinh City is a very high-risk area with 20 out of 25 wards and communes having confirmed cases. The number of infections continues to increase, and sources of transmission are difficult to control, especially with the continued recording of community transmissions.

Within the province, several localities are at high risk, including: Yen Thanh, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan, and Cua Lo town.

Comrade Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of the Department of Health, reports on the work of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic in the province. Photo: Pham Bang

Associate Professor Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh suggested that in the coming period, localities should continue to implement social distancing and isolation in accordance with regulations; ensuring social welfare, especially the needs for healthcare, food, essential services, and social order and safety for the people. At the same time, he proposed that the Provincial People's Committee establish a Command Center for epidemic prevention and control at all levels, headed by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

At the meeting, Chairman of the Vinh City People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tu stated that from August 14th to the present, the city has recorded 153 cases. On August 23rd alone, there were 18 cases, but these were mainly F1 contacts in quarantine areas, indicating a downward trend in the number of cases. The Health Department, in coordination with Vinh City, organized the collection of 23,628 pooled PCR samples in the three wards of Vinh Tan, Hong Son, and Le Mao.

Comrade Tran Ngoc Tu - Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh City, reported on the work of epidemic prevention and control and proposed solutions for the coming period. Photo: Pham Bang.

Assessing the implementation of measures one level higher than Directive 16 after more than a day, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh City stated that public opinion is very supportive. However, businesses and production and trading establishments, due to lack of preparation time, have encountered many difficulties in arranging operations according to the "3-in-1" plan. In addition, due to the tight implementation timeframe, many shortcomings have arisen in practice.

Reporting on the activities of the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund, the Chairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, Vo Thi Minh Sinh, stated that to date, the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund at all levels has received 200 billion VND in donations and currently has 69.6 billion VND remaining. The entire province has established 13,276 community Covid-19 teams. However, only Vinh City, Hung Nguyen, and Dien Chau have allocated funds to support these Covid-19 teams. The Fatherland Front at all levels has provided support to over 7,000 poor households affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.The value exceeds 5.5 billion VND, not including other support activities.

Comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, reports on the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control fund. Photo: Pham Bang.

At the meeting, members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control focused on discussing measures to prevent and control the epidemic throughout the province, especially solutions to be implemented in Vinh City; and implementing the Prime Minister's directive...

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, stated that the issue of supplying essential goods and necessities to the people remains very important, not only in Vinh City but also in many other localities. Therefore, localities must develop specific, reasonable, and timely plans for connecting, consuming, and supplying goods to the people. In addition, localities should create favorable conditions for people to harvest rice; and call for social mobilization to support community COVID-19 teams and frontline forces…

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, speaks at the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang.

Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, Pham Van Hoa, suggested that localities create "green lanes" for units that meet the conditions for transporting goods. In the plan for supplying goods, food, and essential necessities to the people of Vinh City, it is necessary to rationally and scientifically zone areas; and remove difficulties in transporting goods for businesses...

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long stated that in the coming period, rapid sample collection for testing must continue in Vinh City, with the aim of learning from the first day's experience to complete this task within 3 days. He also suggested researching the issuance of shopping vouchers and organizing a team to go to the market on behalf of residents who need it.

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control - assessed that, in the past period, the province has implemented comprehensive, decisive, and strict measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic with a strong and rapid spirit.

The report indicates that 14 localities are implementing Directive 16, 7 localities are implementing Directive 15, and Vinh City is applying measures beyond those of Directive 16. However, the Covid-19 situation in the province remains complex, especially in Vinh City, Yen Thanh District, and Dien Chau District. Nevertheless, some localities are showing positive developments in the pandemic situation, such as Anh Son and Tuong Duong.

In recent days, localities and Vinh City have strictly, decisively, and effectively implemented social distancing measures with the comprehensive and synchronized involvement of the entire political system, supported and complied with by the majority of the people, and with the active participation of frontline forces. In particular, there has been support from Ha Tinh province in providing 152 medical staff to assist Vinh City in collecting test samples. These are positive signs that indicate promising prospects for controlling the epidemic in the province in general and Vinh City in particular.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control, concluded the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

However, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung also acknowledged that there are still difficulties, obstacles, and limitations in the implementation process. In some areas and localities within the province, the updated epidemic prevention and control scenarios and the preparation of the "four on-the-spot" plan have not been fully implemented; the organization of centralized quarantine areas, F0 treatment areas, and ensuring social welfare and stable living conditions for the people have sometimes been inadequate; and vaccination efforts have not met the needs of the people.

In Vinh City specifically, after the Provincial Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control decided to apply measures one level higher than Directive 16, the city quickly responded, but inevitably faced difficulties and confusion, stemming from both objective and subjective factors. The guiding documents were inconsistent and did not fully reflect the spirit of the Provincial Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Organizing screening tests to isolate F0 cases in the community was the top priority, but there were still difficulties in implementation; the process of transporting F0 cases to treatment facilities also remained problematic, requiring the city to review procedures, conduct investigations, and clarify the responsibilities of those involved.

Looking ahead, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control requested that localities strictly, fully, decisively, and effectively implement measures, especially social distancing measures. This is because social distancing remains the most effective measure to date, a decisive factor in minimizing the spread of the disease, especially given the current shortage of vaccines. Simultaneously, they should review disease prevention and control scenarios to develop appropriate response measures and plans, and strive to inform the public as early as possible so they can proactively prepare.

The city is focusing intensely on organizing testing to isolate F0 cases from the community with speed, thoroughness, and strict targeting. For those who have already been tested, have valid results, and do not need further testing, appropriate adjustments should be considered. This is a top priority for the city.

Some businesses have implemented rapid Covid-19 testing for their workers following the outbreak. Photo: PV

Upon detecting a confirmed case (F0), contact tracing of F1 contacts should be carried out quickly, and F0 contacts should be promptly transported to treatment facilities. The police are coordinating closely with the health sector to avoid the shortcomings experienced in the past. The conditions for centralized isolation of F1 cases must continue to be ensured by expanding centralized isolation areas in localities; home isolation for F1 cases is not yet being considered. However, the health sector should also consider this option in preparation for the future.

Regarding treatment facilities, the province currently has 4 field hospitals and is preparing 2 more to ensure treatment for approximately 2,000 cases. At the same time, the province will request the 4th Military Region to prepare a field hospital to treat F0 cases in the province, with a scenario of 5,000 cases.

The health sector organizes vaccination plans according to target groups, especially considering and prioritizing vaccination for officials and employees at businesses that contribute budget funds to the provincial Covid-19 prevention and control fund. When allocated, plans are made to vaccinate as early and quickly as possible, ensuring timely progress and updating the vaccination map of the central government.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested Vinh City to proactively ensure the supply of food, essential necessities, and other necessities to each household. Special attention should be paid to poor and near-poor households, families receiving social welfare benefits, and vulnerable groups in society, ensuring that no one goes hungry. The Department of Industry and Trade should proactively establish supply channels, ensuring sufficient quantities of goods for the people, and promptly inform the public.

The food supplies for the "Zero-Cost Stall" are provided by the Provincial Military Command. Photo: Duc Anh

In the context of social distancing, some production and business activities still need to be maintained. The relevant sectors are guiding localities on plans to help people harvest their rice crops more easily.

Regarding the removal of obstacles and difficulties for businesses in Vinh City during the period of stricter measures than Directive 16, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee stated that the government is ready to share and listen to the opinions of businesses to discuss solutions. However, businesses and households also need to sacrifice some economic benefits and support measures to quickly control and contain the epidemic.

At the same time, the Provincial Police Department is requested to continue ensuring strict security and social order during the social distancing period, and other sectors should also share the burden with the police force. The police force must also ensure traffic flow, traffic management, and goods transportation; and ensure that officials and civil servants can move around to perform their duties conveniently.

The head of the Provincial People's Committee also requested the Provincial Police, relevant departments, and localities to facilitate the work of journalists who have received two doses of the vaccine, enabling them to report fully, promptly, and accurately on the province's epidemic prevention and control efforts; to promote the role of media agencies in mobilizing the people to support, share, cooperate, and strictly comply with epidemic prevention and control measures; and to refute negative information and strictly handle those who spread false information about the province's epidemic prevention and control efforts.

Police officers check the identification of people on the streets. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Regarding the implementation of the Prime Minister's directive, the Provincial People's Committee will consolidate and establish a Provincial-level Command Center for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, will be the Commander of the Provincial COVID-19 Prevention and Control Center; Mr. Bui Dinh Long, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, will be the Permanent Deputy Commander; and the heads of the Police, the Provincial Military Command, and the Health Department will serve as Deputy Commanders of the Provincial COVID-19 Prevention and Control Center.

In addition, a permanent command center will be established at the Provincial People's Committee Office to operate 24/7, and a hotline will be set up at the Covid-19 prevention and control command centers at all levels, so that people and businesses can report any problems or difficulties.

Regarding the use of the Covid-19 prevention and control fund, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee stated that the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control basically agreed with the draft allocation of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, with the view that this fund should be used in accordance with regulations, reasonably and effectively.