Director of Nghe An Department of Health: People returning home for Tet must make good health declarations

Doctors treat Covid-19 patients at Field Hospital No. 2, Hai Duong. Photo provided by the Ministry of Health.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh, Director of the Department of Health, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province, had an interview with Nghe An Newspaper reporters.

PV: Could you tell us about the current COVID-19 epidemic situation in Vietnam and Nghe An province?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh: Epidemic situationCOVID-19In Vietnam, the situation is very complicated. Up to now, the epidemic has appeared in 12 provinces and there are still some cases of infection in the community. A difficult problem now is that we have not been able to trace the F0. For example, the cases of infection in Dien Bien province are related to Cam Giang district (Hai Duong) or there are cases of infection from Chi Linh city (Hai Duong), Van Don district (Quang Ninh) to other provinces; then there are new cases of infection in Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City... It can be said that, up to now, Vietnam has somewhat controlled the epidemic. However, the potential risk in the community is still very large.

In Nghe An, up to this point, there have been no cases of infection in the community. On February 7, the whole province is implementing quarantine and health monitoring at home and place of residence with 15,346 cases, of which 15,157 cases returned from epidemic areas across the country. In the province, there are 12 F1 cases (all are in stable health, first test results are negative). The whole province has taken 33,474 test samples.COVID-19, there are 33,430 negative samples, 44 samples waiting for results.

Reporter: Currently, the number of Nghe An people returning home from epidemic provinces to celebrate Tet is very large. In this situation, what solutions has Nghe An province in general and the health sector in particular had to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:Although Nghe An has not had any community infections, the province's stance is not to be subjective and the health sector and localities are always ready and proactive in preventing the epidemic.

Right before the third wave of the epidemic appeared, with the Lunar New Year approaching, Nghe An was mentally prepared to face cases in the community and the epidemic spreading. Specifically, 2 weeks before the third wave of the epidemic appeared, Nghe An organized training courses for thousands of students and medical staff. These students can participate in the fight against the epidemic, take on the task of collecting test samples, and not be passive in the face of the epidemic. Currently, Nghe An has prepared very carefully for the fight against the epidemic. The system of testing machines and human resources has been fully equipped and arranged. If an epidemic occurs, Nghe An can test 3,000 samples a day.

At this time, the number of Nghe An people returning home from epidemic provinces to celebrate Tet is very large. On February 7 alone, the whole province had 2,993 more cases of isolation and self-monitoring of health at home and new residence. Nghe An province, the health sector and localities are closely monitoring these cases. The health sector has directed medical units and facilities to prepare well human resources, materials, medicines and first aid equipment during Tet; absolutely not be subjective or negligent with the COVID-19 epidemic; be on duty to prevent and control the epidemic 24/24h; control well those who return from working far away from other localities, propagate to people to raise awareness of disease prevention and properly implement the 5K of the Ministry of Health....

Nghe An Department of Health inspects facilities for COVID-19 prevention during Tet. Photo: Thanh Hoa

COVID-19 prevention work in Nghe An is being vigorously implemented. Therefore, recently, when Nghe An had F1 cases, people returning from epidemic areas showing clinical symptoms, the province quickly implemented measures to isolate, test, and trace related people. Fortunately, we have not had any cases of COVID-19.

Recently, the Department of Health also organized inspection teams in 21 districts, cities and towns. The inspection results showed that localities and units are strictly implementing COVID-19 prevention measures...

As a standing agency, Nghe An Department of Health will closely monitor the epidemic developments to promptly advise the Provincial Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on measures and solutions appropriate to local realities.

PV: Do you have any disease prevention recommendations for people returning to their hometowns for Tet and localities where people return to their hometowns for Tet?

Make health declarations for all people when coming to medical facilities. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:Given the complicated developments of the epidemic, people returning home for Tet must make good health declarations, especially those returning from epidemic areas. To control the epidemic, localities need to clearly understand the situation and the number of people returning to their localities through health declarations.

Second, for those returning home for Tet, depending on the situation, Nghe An has requirements for quarantine or self-health monitoring. The requirement is that everyone must strictly comply with these regulations, avoiding the expensive lesson of quarantine like the one at Tan Son Nhat Airport recently. Localities and communities also need to participate in monitoring compliance with regulations.

Third, we have had a long period of time without any cases in the community, and there is still some subjective thinking. In order to prevent the epidemic, not only those returning home for Tet but everyone needs to follow the Ministry of Health's "5K" recommendations "Mask - Disinfection - Distance - No gathering - Medical declaration" to keep themselves and the community safe from the pandemic.

PV: Thank you!