Nghe An: Deploying solutions to protect green areas in epidemic prevention and control

The Department of Health held an online meeting to deploy solutions to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic in the new situation. Photo: Thanh Chung

On the afternoon of October 12, Nghe An Department of Health held an online conference with 21 districts, cities, towns and medical units in the province. The main content of the meeting was to deploy tasks and measures to manage people returning from epidemic areas; conduct random screening tests and vaccinate against Covid-19... towards maintaining the "green zone" throughout the province.

36 returning citizens tested positive for Covid-19

From the beginning of the epidemic season until the morning of October 12,Nghe An1,938 patients have been recorded.Covid-19in 21 localities. (From August 14 to now, 1,465 new infections have been recorded).From July 24 to September 30, the province has quarantined 22,525 cases returning from epidemic-hit provinces and cities in the South, of which 407 cases tested positive.

Particularly since October 1, the number of citizens returning from epidemic-hit provinces and cities in the South has continued to increase rapidly, with over 10,000 citizens being managed and quarantined. Of which, Nghe An detected 36 cases of returnees testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 (11 cases fully vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccine; 2 cases re-positive).

Regarding treatment, the cumulative number of patients who have recovered and been discharged from hospital is 1,812, 19 patients have died, and the number of patients currently being treated is 105.

Currently, the number of people in the province who have received 2 doses of the vaccineCovid-19is 90,906 people (accounting for 2.66% of the population and 3.77% of people over 18 years old). The number of people vaccinated with at least 1 dose is 641,858 people (accounting for about 18.8% of the population and 26.7% of people over 18 years old).

Since October 1, the number of citizens returning from epidemic-hit provinces and cities in the South has been very large. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In recent times, Nghe An has mobilized the entire political system to actively and effectively implement measures to prevent and combat the Covid-19 epidemic. The people of the whole province always trust, support, and accompany the implementation of effective anti-epidemic solutions.

Thereby, up to this point, the epidemic situation in the province has basically been controlled (newly recorded cases are concentrated in groups of citizens returning from epidemic areas, F1s were quarantined in advance). Districts, cities and towns have moved to a new normal state.

However, the risk of infections entering from other localities and outbreaks in the province is very high, especially from cases of citizens returning from the South spontaneously or by road.

Ensure both epidemic prevention and socio-economic development

At the meeting, representatives of localities and medical units reported and shared their experiences in epidemic prevention and control; at the same time, they clearly stated difficulties, recommendations, and wishes for support and resolution to ensure both epidemic prevention and control and socio-economic development.

Concluding the meeting, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Deputy Commander of the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center, Director of Nghe An Department of Health stated: The Covid-19 epidemic in Nghe An has been well controlled. However, in the new situation when Nghe An implements "opening up" for socio-economic development; the number of citizens and passengers returning and traveling back and forth is high; the rate of Covid-19 vaccination is still low, the risk of the epidemic entering, spreading and breaking out is very high.

The Director of the Department of Health stated: The risk of the epidemic entering, spreading, and breaking out in Nghe An is still very high. Photo: Thanh Chung

Localities must not be negligent or subjective; need to respond quickly and promptly deploy epidemic prevention and control measures; closely monitor and promptly grasp the epidemic situation to update and adjust epidemic prevention and control scenarios in accordance with the practical conditions of their localities in accordance with the motto "4 on-site", "villages protect villages, communes protect communes, districts protect districts".

In addition, districts, cities and towns need to focus highly on preventing the risk of disease spreading and outbreaks from people returning from other localities; strictly managing centralized quarantine areas and people quarantined at home; maximizing the effectiveness of community Covid teams and self-managed teams to manage population fluctuations.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh suggested: Districts, cities and towns strictly implement Official Dispatch No. 4620 of the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center with the main content being to conduct random testing and screening in the community. Screening testing is extremely important in exploring, evaluating and adjusting epidemic prevention and control solutions.

Screening tests are extremely important in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Quang An

At the same time, localities need to focus on the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. This is a political task of localities and the health sector. Ensure safe and timely vaccination. The immediate task is to successfully carry out the Covid-19 vaccination campaign with 250,000 doses of Vero Cell vaccine that have just been transferred to localities. The requirement is to complete before 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2021.

Communication work on Covid-19 prevention and control needs to continue to be focused on and promoted by localities and units through many means and forms. In particular, special attention should be paid to communication through the radio system at the grassroots level... The work of inspecting and supervising the implementation of policies and plans for epidemic prevention and control and vaccination also needs to be focused on.

The Director of the Department of Health requested: Medical examination and treatment facilities in the area need to conduct regular tests for patients, relatives, medical staff and workers; strengthen coordination and support localities in implementing epidemic prevention, control and vaccination. Preventive medical units need to do a good job of advising the Steering Committee and the Center for Disease Prevention and Control in localities on epidemic prevention and control; fully prepare essential facilities for epidemic prevention; and do a good job of vaccinating against Covid-19.