Nghe An urgently held a meeting and immediately deployed measures after 2 imported cases tested positive for Covid-19.

Thanh Chung - Thanh Cuong• April 16, 2021 13:36

(Baonghean.vn) - At 10:00 a.m. on April 16, the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province and Con Cuong district inspected the treatment work at the Southwest Regional General Hospital; urgently met to discuss, assess the epidemic situation and deploy prevention solutions.

At 10 a.m. on April 16, the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An Province and Con Cuong District inspected the treatment work at the Southwest Regional General Hospital; urgently met to discuss, assess the epidemic situation and deploy prevention solutions. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On the morning of April 16, in Con Cuong district, the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province and the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Con Cuong district held an urgent meeting after 2 out of 224 Vietnamese citizens returning from Japan who were being quarantined in the locality tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

2 cases tested positive for Covid-19

On April 14, Nghe An welcomed 224 Vietnamese citizens returning from the epidemic area to carry out disease prevention quarantine in the locality. Photo by Thanh Cuong

According to a quick report from the Nghe An Department of Health: Implementing the direction of the Government Office and the Provincial People's Committee, on the evening of April 14, 2021, the Department of Health directed the Provincial Center for Disease Control to send 4 working groups and 01 crew (including medical staff and ambulance) of Nghe An General Hospital, in coordination with working groups of the Provincial Police, Provincial Military Command, Department of Tourism and Department of Foreign Affairs of Nghe An province to welcome 224 citizens (222 adults and 02 children) from Narita airport (Japan) to enter Vinh International Airport on flight number VJ7835.

After 224 citizens entered the country, the medical quarantine team of 9 officers conducted quarantine according to regulations for all incoming passengers. The environmental treatment team sprayed disinfectants on the plane, luggage compartment, and carry-on luggage. The medical team led the convoy to take citizens to quarantine at Muong Thanh Con Cuong Hotel... Medical quarantine and screening results: There were no cases with suspected Covid-19 symptoms that required medical quarantine at medical examination and treatment facilities.

On April 15, the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control tested 224 specimens and found two samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On the morning of April 15, 2021, the Working Group including epidemiology and testing (12 officers) collected 224 RT-PCR test samples and by 1:00 p.m. on the same day, all samples were transported to the Provincial Center for Disease Control for immediate testing. The test results of 224 samples showed that 02 samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among them, 1 person from Nghe An and 1 person from Phu Tho province. Both of these cases are being quarantined in 01 hotel room.

On the morning of April 16, leaders of the Department of Health, teams of professional staff from the Center for Disease Control and Nghe An General Hospital directly worked in Con Cuong district, directing the process of receiving, isolating and treating cases positive for SARS-CoV-2 at the isolation area of the Southwest Regional General Hospital. At the same time, the working group also investigated and traced cases in contact with positive cases to carry out isolation.

The Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province and Con Cuong district inspected the treatment work at the Southwest Regional General Hospital. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Also this morning, Nghe An Department of Health reported to the Ministry of Health to announce the case; sent samples to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to identify the virus strain.

At 10:00 a.m. on April 16, the Standing Committee of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province and Con Cuong district inspected the treatment work at the Southwest Regional General Hospital; urgently met to discuss, assess the situation and deploy professional solutions related to Covid-19 prevention and control work in the area in the coming time.

Continue epidemiological investigation, testing, and strengthen treatment

Doctor Pham Dinh Du - Deputy Director of Nghe An Province Center for Disease Control said: The epidemiological investigation of the two positive cases encountered many difficulties. Photo: Thanh Cuong

At the meeting, Dr. Pham Dinh Du - Deputy Director of Nghe An Province Center for Disease Control quickly reported on the situation of quarantine, investigation, and sampling on the morning of April 16: Accordingly, Muong Thanh Con Cuong Hotel currently ensures quarantine conditions as required, avoiding cross-infection in the quarantine area. The epidemiological investigation of the 2 positive cases encountered many difficulties. These 2 cases had quite complicated schedules while in Japan. During the flight back to the country and moving to the quarantine area, these 2 cases had contact and talked with a number of other passengers on the same flight.

Currently, the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control continues to conduct epidemiological investigations; taking second samples from two positive cases. The Center is preparing to take second general test samples for the remaining 222 citizens - Doctor Pham Dinh Du said.

Doctor Trinh Xuan Nam - Deputy Director of Nghe An General Hospital suggested that it is necessary to be ready for the situation of an increase in Covid-19 patients. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Doctor Trinh Xuan Nam - Deputy Director of Nghe An General Hospital (former Head of the working group of Nghe An Department of Health to reinforce Da Nang to prevent Covid-19) reported the results of the inspection of the treatment preparation work of the Southwest Regional General Hospital. Accordingly, the Southwest Regional General Hospital has carefully prepared to receive patients for treatment. However, this preparation is only suitable for a small number of patients, mild patients do not need testing and surgery.

Hospitals need to be prepared for the situation of an increase in Covid-19 patients; need to focus on disease control, operate one-way procedures in the treatment area to prevent, pay attention to the ventilation system, prevent infection in the hospital; need to review and strengthen training on infection control skills for medical staff; add guidance signs. Hospitals also need to allocate work, ensure long-term living conditions for medical staff on duty.

Colonel Duong Minh Hien - Deputy Commander of the Provincial Military Command proposed to strengthen the work of ensuring quarantine at hotels. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Doctor Trinh Xuan Nam stated: The health sector must be ready to transfer additional machinery to the Southwest Regional General Hospital; support in testing patient indicators during treatment... Nghe An General Hospital is currently ready to help and support the Southwest Regional General Hospital in treating seriously ill patients.

At the meeting, members of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province and Con Cuong district, leaders of departments, branches and sectors also analyzed and assessed the epidemic situation, quarantine work at hotels and proposed plans to handle the epidemic situation.

Mr. Hoang Sy Kien - Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Cuong District requested: The health sector promptly vaccinates doctors and nurses of the Southwest Regional General Hospital and staff serving in the quarantine area against Covid-19. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Mr. Hoang Sy Kien - Chairman of Con Cuong District People's Committee proposed: The health sector should provide Con Cuong district with specialized vehicles for transporting patients; support sample collection for quarantine forces; promptly vaccinate doctors and nurses of the Southwest Regional General Hospital and staff serving the quarantine area against Covid-19. The Provincial Military Command directed the District Military Command to increase the force to protect the outer perimeter of the quarantine and treatment area.

Urgent response to all situations

Concluding the meeting, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province, Director of the Nghe An Department of Health highly appreciated the sense of responsibility and proactiveness of all levels, sectors, Con Cuong district and units in responding to the epidemic situation. Currently, Nghe An is controlling the epidemic situation well, but we should not be subjective. All levels, sectors and Con Cuong district need to continue to focus on implementing well the contents of disease prevention and control, treating patients; responding to all epidemic situations.

The Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province and Con Cuong district inspected and developed a treatment plan for the patient. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh requested: On the afternoon of April 16, the leaders of the Department of Health and Nghe An General Hospital continued to review the treatment of patients at the Southwest Regional General Hospital in the spirit of "4 on-site", promptly filling in the shortcomings, and meeting the treatment conditions well. Nghe An General Hospital sent a working group to provide maximum support to the Southwest Regional General Hospital to control infections and treat Covid-19 patients. In case the patient's condition worsens, the patient will be transferred to Nghe An General Hospital for treatment.

The Provincial Center for Disease Control continues to guide Con Cuong district in disease prevention and control activities, carry out quarantine work; promptly take samples for testing of 2 positive cases and within 3 days must simultaneously take samples for testing of 222 citizens in quarantine.

Checking in the treatment room for seriously ill patients. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The Provincial Center for Disease Control has arranged a permanent anti-epidemic team in Con Cuong district, led by a leader of the Center on duty, to directly direct the investigation, tracing, isolation, and sampling work; and at the same time, complete the report to send to the Ministry of Health.

On April 17-18, the Provincial Center for Disease Control directed and assisted in vaccination for medical staff at the Southwest Regional General Hospital, and staff and employees at Muong Thanh Con Cuong Hotel.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh stated: Con Cuong District Medical Center actively supports the Southwest Regional General Hospital in disinfecting and spraying chemicals to prevent epidemics. The Southwest Regional General Hospital tightens the flow of patients; strictly implements infection prevention measures in the quarantine area; implements patient treatment in accordance with regulations; regularly contacts Nghe An General Hospital to receive guidance and support.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control in Nghe An province, Director of the Nghe An Department of Health stated: All levels, sectors and Con Cuong district need to continue to focus on implementing well the contents of disease prevention and control, treating patients; responding to all epidemic situations. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province requested: The provincial police and Con Cuong district police strengthen security work, ensure that the quarantine activities take place in an orderly and safe manner, and prevent people from entering and leaving, causing the risk of infection. The Provincial Military Command supports Con Cuong district in ensuring the protection of the outer perimeter of the quarantine area. The Department of Tourism directs Muong Thanh Con Cuong Hotel to coordinate with medical experts to review and ensure epidemic prevention and quarantine conditions; coordinate with airlines to provide seat records for citizens returning to the country./.