Nghe An requires people with coughs and fever to go to medical stations for free testing.

On September 26, the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command CenterNghe Anhas issued Official Dispatch No. 4620/TTCH-SYT on strengthening SARS-CoV-2 screening testing in the new situation to the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of districts, cities and towns.

The document stated: In the recent past, with the strategy of zoning and widespread testing, our province has basically controlled the epidemic situation; thereby, we can clearly see the important role of testing in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic.

Vinh City has taken large-scale samples 6 times to isolate F0. Photo: Tien Hung

To continue to maintain, detect and promptly prevent risks of disease spread, the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center requests the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committees of districts, cities, towns and related units to deploy the following contents:

1.Screening testing to detect F0

- For the arealockdown, must organize sampling and testing of all people in the area with a frequency of 03 times in 7 days, prioritizing SARS-CoV-2 testing by rapid antigen test (can combine rapid antigen test and RT - PCR test) to immediately separate F0 cases from the community, prevent the source of infection and provide timely treatment. Carry out sample pooling according to practical conditions, by household, room and adjacent households. Implement testing thoroughly in each area and ensure no cross-infection during sampling. RT-PCR test results require a response within 12 hours.

- In high-risk areas (yellow zones) and new normal areas (green zones), SARS-CoV-2 testing (in the form of pooled samples using rapid antigen tests or RT-PCR) is regularly implemented periodically, randomly and rotated between different areas. Focus on areas where infections have occurred in the community, shopping centers, markets, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, production and business establishments, transport units... (detailed appendix attached).

- Strengthen timely communication work, ensure consistent and accurate information in many forms and multimedia to raise people's awareness; encourage people to regularly get tested themselves to ensure the health of themselves, their families and the community. For people with abnormal symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing... go immediately to the Commune Health Station to declare their health and do SARS-CoV-2 testing at the Health Station using a free rapid antigen test and take RT-PCR samples to send to testing facilities (in the form of pooled samples) to contribute to early detection and improve the effectiveness of Covid-19 prevention and control.

2.Localities, agencies, units and enterprises proactively develop plans and arrange funding for periodic testing according to instructions.

3.The Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee of districts, cities and towns directs and is the focal point for synthesizing the results of SARS-CoV-2 screening tests in the area. Every 2 weeks, reports on results are sent to the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center to synthesize and report to the Provincial Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control.