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

On the afternoon of August 24, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control met to listen to and give opinions on Covid-19 prevention and control work in the past time and deploy 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; Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control co-chaired the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

TRY TO PROVIDE GOODS TO PEOPLE IN ADEQUATE AND TIMELY

As of 8:00 a.m. on August 24, Nghe An province recorded 993 infections in 21 localities, 323 cases have recovered. From 6:00 a.m. on August 22 to 6:00 a.m. on August 24 alone, the province recorded 165 new infections (of which 63 were community cases).,The highest is still Vinh City with 75 cases, including 33 cases in the community. The entire province is currently under centralized quarantine.13,078 cases, 144,167 people vaccinated (about 4.36% of the population).

Assessing the epidemic situation, Director of the Department of Health Duong Dinh Chinh said that Vinh City is a very high-risk area with 20/25 wards and communes having infected cases. The number of infected cases continues to increase, the sources of infection are difficult to control, especially cases of infection in the community are still recorded.

In the province, some 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 reported on the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic in the province. Photo: Pham Bang

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh suggested that in the coming time, localities should continue to implement social distancing and isolation in accordance with regulations; must ensure social security, especially medical requirements, food, essential services and social order and safety for the people. At the same time, he suggested that the Provincial People's Committee establish a command center for epidemic prevention and control at all levels, headed by the Chairman of the People's Committee.

At the meeting, Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tu said that from August 14 to now, the city has recorded 153 cases. On August 23 alone, there were 18 cases, but mostly F1 in the quarantine area, which shows that the number of cases is decreasing. The Health Department coordinated with Vinh City to collect 23,628 PCR samples in 3 wards of Vinh Tan, Hong Son, and Le Mao.

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

Assessing after more than 1 day of implementing the measure, which is 1 level higher than Directive 16, the Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said that public opinion is very sympathetic and supportive. However, businesses and production and business establishments, due to lack of preparation time, have encountered many difficulties in arranging activities according to the "3 on-site" plan. In addition, due to the urgent implementation time, many problems have arisen in practice.

Reporting on the activities of the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund, Chairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee Vo Thi Minh Sinh said that up to now, the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund at all levels has received 200 billion VND in support and currently has 69.6 billion VND left. The whole province has established 13,276 community Covid Teams. However, only Vinh City, Hung Nguyen, and Dien Chau have allocated funds to support Covid Teams. The Fatherland Front at all levels has supported over 7,000 poor households affected by the Covid-19 epidemic withvalue of over 5.5 billion VND, not including other support activities.

Comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee reported on the situation of the Covid-19 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 epidemic prevention and control measures in the whole province and especially solutions implemented in Vinh city; implementing the Prime Minister's telegram...

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department said that the issue of supplying goods and essential necessities to people is still very important, not only in Vinh City but also in many other localities. Therefore, localities must develop plans to connect, consume, and supply goods specifically, reasonably, and promptly to people. In addition, localities create favorable conditions for people to harvest rice; call for social support to support the Community Covid Team and frontline forces...

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department spoke 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 to supply goods, food, and necessities to the people of Vinh City, it is necessary to divide the areas reasonably and scientifically; remove difficulties in transporting goods for businesses...

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long said that in the coming time, we must continue to quickly collect samples for testing in Vinh City, with the view of learning from the first day to complete this work within 3 days. Research on distributing grocery vouchers and Vinh City organizing a force to go to the market on behalf of people in need.

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS TO ORGANIZE MORE EFFECTIVELY

Concluding the meeting, comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control assessed that in the past time, the province has implemented synchronous, drastic and strict measures to prevent and control Covid-19 with a strong and fast spirit.

This shows that 14 localities have implemented Directive 16, 7 localities have implemented Directive 15, and Vinh City has applied measures above Directive 16. However, the Covid-19 epidemic situation in the province is still complicated, especially in Vinh City, Yen Thanh District, and Dien Chau District. However, there are localities with positive developments, such as Anh Son and Tuong Duong.

In recent days, localities and Vinh City have strictly, drastically and effectively implemented social distancing measures with the comprehensive and synchronous participation of the entire political system, supported, accompanied and complied by the majority of people and the active participation of frontline forces. In particular, there has been the sharing and support of Ha Tinh province in providing 152 medical staff to support Vinh City in collecting samples for testing. These are positive points to see the prospect of 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 at the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

However, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung also said that there are still difficulties, obstacles and limitations in the implementation process. In the province, there are times, places and localities that have not updated the epidemic prevention and control scenarios in the new situation and the preparation of the "4 on-site" plan; the organization of centralized quarantine areas, F0 treatment areas, ensuring social security, stabilizing people's lives is sometimes and in some places not good; the vaccination work has not met the needs of the people.

As for Vinh City, after the Provincial Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control decided to apply measures one level higher than Directive 16, the city quickly took action, but could not avoid confusion and difficulties, the causes of which were both objective and subjective. The guiding documents were not consistent and did not match the direction of the Provincial Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control of Covid-19. Organizing screening tests to separate F0 from the community is the number 1 priority task, but there were still confusions during the implementation process; organizing the transfer of F0 to treatment facilities was still confusing and the city had to review the process, review, and clarify the responsibilities of those involved.

In the coming time, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control requested localities to strictly, fully, resolutely and effectively implement measures, especially social distancing measures. Because social distancing measures up to this point are still the most effective measures, the decisive factor to minimize the spread of the disease, when the number of vaccines is still lacking. At the same time, review the epidemic prevention and control scenarios to propose appropriate response measures and plans to the situation and try to inform people early to be proactive.

Focus on organizing testing to separate F0 from the community with a spirit of speed, thoroughness, targeting the right people, and strictness. Consider making reasonable adjustments to those who have been tested, have valid results, and do not need testing. This is the most important task of the city.

Some businesses have conducted rapid Covid-19 tests for workers after the outbreak. Photo: PV

When F0 is detected, F1 cases must be traced quickly and F0 cases must be brought to treatment facilities as soon as possible. The police must coordinate closely with the health sector to avoid creating problems in the past. Continue to ensure conditions for centralized isolation of F1 cases by expanding centralized isolation areas in localities, and not yet consider isolating F1 cases at home. However, the health sector also needs to consider this option to prepare for the coming time.

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

The health sector organizes the vaccination plan according to the right subjects, especially considering and paying attention to vaccinating officials and workers at enterprises that contribute to the budget and the provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund. When allocated, there will be the earliest and fastest vaccination plan, ensuring the right schedule, and updating the Central vaccination map.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested Vinh City to proactively ensure the provision of food, foodstuffs, and essential necessities to every household. In particular, pay attention to poor and near-poor households, policy families, and vulnerable groups in society, so that people do not go hungry. The Industry and Trade sector shall proactively use supply channels to ensure sufficient goods for people and promptly inform people.

The food source of the "Zero-dong stall" is provided by the Provincial Military Command. Photo: Duc Anh

In the context of social distancing, some production and business activities must still be maintained. The sectors guide localities on plans to help people easily harvest rice.

Regarding the removal of obstacles and difficulties for businesses in Vinh City during the period of applying measures higher than Directive 16, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that the government is willing to share and listen to the opinions of businesses to discuss solutions. However, businesses and business households also need to sacrifice part of their economic benefits and support measures to control and contain the epidemic soon.

At the same time, the provincial police are required to continue to strictly ensure security and order, social safety during the period of social distancing, and the sectors also need to share with the police force. The police sector must also ensure the circulation, flow, and transportation of goods; ensure that officers and civil servants can move to perform their duties smoothly.

The head of the Provincial People's Committee also requested the Provincial Police, sectors and localities to facilitate the press team who have been vaccinated with 2 doses to work and report fully, promptly and accurately on the epidemic prevention and control work in the province; promote the role of media agencies in mobilizing people to support, share, accompany and strictly comply with epidemic prevention and control measures and refute negative information, strictly handle subjects who provide false information about the province's epidemic prevention and control work.

Police check people's papers on the street. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Regarding the implementation of the Prime Minister's telegram, the Provincial People's Committee will consolidate and establish the Provincial Center for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee is the Commander of the Provincial Center for Covid-19 Prevention and Control; Comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee is the Permanent Deputy Commander of the Provincial Center for Covid-19 Prevention and Control; Heads of the following sectors: Public Security, Provincial Military Command, Health are Deputy Commanders of the Provincial Center for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

In addition, establish a standing unit of the Command Center at the Provincial People's Committee Office to be on duty 24/7 and set up hotlines at Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Centers at all levels, so that people and businesses can report problems and difficulties.

Regarding the use of the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control basically agreed with the draft allocation of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee with the viewpoint of using this fund in accordance with regulations, reasonably and effectively./.