Nghe An builds and promotes 'anti-epidemic fortress'

Thanh Chung (performed)• July 21, 2021 09:38

(Baonghean.vn) - While the Covid-19 epidemic in the province has temporarily calmed down, the biggest concern now is that the epidemic may seep in from other provinces. To prevent the epidemic during this period, the role of the people is very important...

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Deputy Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Director of Nghe An Department of Health discussed with Nghe An Newspaper about a number of issues related to epidemic prevention and control in the coming time.

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Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh directs epidemic prevention and control work at the epidemic center of Dien Chau. Photo: Thanh Cuong

PV:After the outbreaks in the lowlands were controlled, a new outbreak appeared in the mountainous area of western Nghe An. Can you tell us more about this new outbreak?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:During June and July,Nghe AnMany cases of Covid-19 infection appeared simultaneously. However, with the joint efforts and consensus, the whole province has resolutely implemented anti-epidemic solutions. And up to this point, all old outbreaks have been resolved and well controlled, especially the outbreaks in Vinh city, Dien Chau district, Nam Dan, Nghi Loc...

The old outbreak had just been extinguished, but in recent days, Nghe An has had a new outbreak in Tuong Duong andKy Sonwith 29 infected people. The new outbreak has its complications; to completely control it is also difficult. Firstly, the source of the outbreak has not been clearly identified, although the outbreak occurred in the Khmu ethnic community with the characteristic of having little contact with the outside world. The source of the outbreak may have come from exchanges and communication with people in Laos, or it may have come from people coming from other localities. Tracing using information technology through phone subscribers shows that many F0 cases have been to the area along the border. It is also necessary to pay more attention to the history of the villages where F0 appeared this time, which used to be plagued by drug abuse and social evils.

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Medical staff take samples for testing from people in Cham Puong village, Luong Minh commune, Tuong Duong district. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Second, in the mountainous areas of western Nghe An in general and in the two communes of Luong Minh (Tuong Duong) and Chieu Luu (Ky Son) in particular, people live relatively isolated; the area is large, the terrain is rugged... This makes it difficult to investigate, trace, and collect samples for testing. People often leave their villages to work on the high mountains for long periods of time. Anti-epidemic forces had to climb passes and wade through streams all day just to collect samples and investigate the contact history of 2-3 people. Investigating, tracing, and collecting samples for testing for the entire population in the locked-down village is very difficult and takes longer than in the epidemic areas in the lowlands.

Third, social distancing to prevent and fight the epidemic in mountainous areas is not simple. If in the lowlands, when social distancing is implemented, people with better economic conditions can stay at home for a long time to fight the epidemic, in the mountainous areas, social distancing means that people who have been earning a living for a long time do not have enough food to sustain their lives. Party committees, authorities, and political organizations must take care of food and provisions so that people can stay at home to fight the epidemic. In addition, there are many factors that limit the effectiveness of epidemic control and suppression measures such as language, customs, awareness level, and economic life.

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The district's working group went up the mountain to find people to get tested and make health declarations. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Besides difficulties, the epidemic prevention work in mountainous areas also has advantages, which are: sparsely populated communities; people in villages are more isolated... When an epidemic outbreak is detected here, the authorities can isolate and control it more easily than in the lowlands. To stop the epidemic outbreak in Luong Minh and Chieu Luu communes, the provinceNghe Anmobilized a large force of medical, military and police officers to participate. The anti-epidemic forces have carried out their tasks very actively and effectively, clearly demonstrating their roles and responsibilities. We have full confidence that the outbreak here will soon be controlled and completely extinguished.

PV:In the context of the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic as it is now, the role of the people in prevention and control is very important. Could you elaborate on the effective epidemic prevention and control strategy based on the people that Nghe An is implementing?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:During the past days of fighting the Covid-19 epidemic, we have clearly seen the important role and anti-epidemic spirit of the people.Nghe An. Nghe An people have been very active in complying with and implementing epidemic prevention regulations, as well as actively supporting epidemic prevention and control work. Every time the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee launched an appeal, people in the province gave up their rice and clothes to support the fight against the epidemic, even though their lives and economic conditions were still difficult. Epidemic areas such as Vinh city, Luong Minh commune... have received a lot of love and support. And right now, many trains and cars from Nghe An have been carrying food and provisions fromNghe Anto Ho Chi Minh City to support this locality in fighting the epidemic.

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Nghe An people support food and provisions for the epidemic area. Photo: Duc Anh

The extremely important role of the people in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic is also demonstrated in the people's detection and reporting of suspected cases, people returning from epidemic areas and other provinces. Such detection and reporting has helped the province proactively prevent and control the epidemic and prevent the spread, extinguishing the entire epidemic.

Now, the "internal" epidemic in Nghe An has basically been controlled (there are only a few outbreaks in mountainous areas that can be controlled early). The most worrying thing is the epidemic from other places (for example, the case of a pregnant woman who tested negative in Ho Chi Minh City, but only got sick when she returned to Nghe An). Nghe An has implemented many measures to control trains, airports, and border gates, but somehow people coming to/returning from epidemic areas can still get through. At this time, it is necessary to further promote the role of the people and the community Covid-19 Team in dealing with the epidemic. They are the ones who directly fight the epidemic in residential areas, fighting these cases.

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Covid-19 prevention and control checkpoint in La Ngan village, Huu Kiem commune. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Fighting the epidemic depends on the people, Nghe An province really hopes that the people of the province will continue to support epidemic prevention and control measures, including the upcoming vaccination campaign; not be subjective and negligent with the epidemic; should not be pessimistic and fearful, making epidemic prevention measures ineffective; well implement the 5K recommendations; comply with local epidemic prevention regulations; continue to support and assist the epidemic prevention and control work... "Each citizen is a soldier, each family is a fortress" to early detect suspected cases, people returning from epidemic areas, other localities without medical declaration.

PV:Recently, the Ministry of Health coordinated with the Ministry of National Defense to organize the launching ceremony of the 2021-2022 National Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign. How did Nghe An develop the vaccination plan?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:It must be said that vaccination is an extremely important strategy in the prevention and control of the current Covid-19 epidemic. Currently, the vaccination rate in Nghe An has only reached more than 3.3% of the population; much lower than the vaccination rate in the country and the world. Recently, the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has made a document recommending and proposing to the Government and the Ministry of Health to soon supply vaccines for injection.

Implementing the National Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign 2021 - 2022. Last week, the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the Health sector drafted a plan, sought opinions from departments and branches to submit to the Provincial People's Committee Chairman for approval and issuance of a decision. After the draft was issued, the Covid-19 vaccination steering committee of the province and districts, cities and towns was also established and deployed the task.

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Covid-19 vaccination for epidemic prevention forces in Vinh city. Photo: Thanh Chung

According to the draft plan, Nghe An plans to deploy 500 vaccination sites in the province. The Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has assigned the health sector to be responsible for professional work. The workload is huge, such as arranging vaccination personnel; emergency teams at vaccination sites; arranging vaccination locations; information technology to report and capture data; how to communicate so that people actively respond to vaccination in a short time because the vaccine has a certain shelf life... All must be taken into account and planned early. The health sector is trying to perform its duties well.

It must be clarified that the 2021-2022 National Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign is not the sole responsibility of the Provincial Steering Committee or the Health sector, but a shared responsibility. In particular, the Steering Committees of localities must also prepare very carefully, especially in terms of logistics, communications, information technology, etc. Nghe An aims to vaccinate 30-40% of the population against Covid-19 from now until the end of the year; vaccination will not be widespread but will be sequentially given to subjects according to Resolution 21, prioritizing vaccination for people in high-risk areas.

PV:Thank you!