The source of the nCoV infection in Hai Duong is from Da Nang.
The nCoV gene sequence in Hai Duong is similar to the strain in Da Nang, indicating that the source of Covid-19 infection in Hai Duong is related to the Da Nang outbreak.
Dr. Pham Quang Thai, Deputy Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Control, Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, made the above assessment. According to him, the results of decoding the nCoV gene sequence in Hai Duong show that the outbreak there was not caused by a new strain of the virus.
According to Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, Director of the Central Lung Hospital, the source of infection for the patients in Hai Duong has been identified as Da Nang, possibly due to contact with someone returning from Da Nang, and not from Hanoi. This allows the epidemic control steering committee to implement more accurate methods for containment and treatment of patients.
However, Dr. Nhung noted that the source of infection (F0) has not yet been identified, and the cluster of cases in Hai Duong is quite complex, with the source of transmission still within the community. To control the epidemic, people need to strictly adhere to isolation measures, stop all business and recreational activities, and absolutely not be complacent. Healthcare workers are also accelerating contact tracing, isolation, widespread sample collection, and rapid testing to contain the outbreak.
Dr. Thai also believes that rigorously tracing those who have had direct contact with infected cases and increasing testing for people returning from Da Nang is the right strategy to contain the outbreak in Hai Duong.
"People returning from Da Nang must be tested, because if even one person is missed, it could create new outbreaks," said Dr. Thai.
Mr. Thai, along with the Ministry of Health's task force, participated in tracing, locating, and isolating all F1 contacts, avoiding missing any infected cases that could trigger further outbreaks.
Authorities in Hai Duong are intensifying community screening. All individuals at risk of infection are being tested, including those without epidemiological risk factors such as fever, cough, or sore throat. Authorities have established teams to help trace suspected cases and conduct health education and awareness campaigns for the community.
On August 12th, Hanoi recorded "Patient 867," a 63-year-old male from Hai Duong who came to Hanoi for medical examination. Tracing the patient's epidemiological history, Hai Duong recorded 11 additional COVID-19 patients linked to the The Gioi Bo Tuoi (Fresh Beef World) restaurant at 36 Ngo Quyen Street, Hai Duong City. Therefore, "Patient 867" was determined to have likely contracted the infection from this restaurant.
On August 16th, the results of the nCoV gene sequencing of "patient 867," conducted by the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, showed a match for the new nCoV strain in Da Nang. This strain has the characteristic of spreading faster but its virulence remains unchanged compared to previously recorded strains.
From 0:00 on August 14th, Hai Duong city will be under social isolation for 15 days.
