Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam: Proactively detect people suspected of being infected with Covid-19 as early as possible

On the morning of February 14, comrade Vu Duc Dam - Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee for prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of Corona virus (Covid - 19) chaired an online conference with all provinces and cities.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the meeting. Photo: VGP/Dinh Nam

As of 5:00 p.m. on February 13, there were 16 cases of Covid-19 infection in Vietnam, of which Vinh Phuc had 11 people (3 were discharged from the hospital, 1 new case was recorded on February 13 in Ai Van village, Son Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district); Thanh Hoa and Khanh Hoa each had 1 case of infection but both were discharged from the hospital; Ho Chi Minh City had 3 cases (2 were discharged from the hospital).

Also up to that point, the whole country had tested 856 samples, of which in addition to the 16 positive samples mentioned, 840 samples were negative for Covid-19 and 83 suspected cases were being monitored and quarantined.

To date, Nghe An has 15 suspected cases of Covid-19. Test results show that all 15 cases do not have Covid-19 but only have the common cold.

At the Nghe An province bridge, there was comrade Bui Dinh Long - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired; also attending were members of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. Photo: Thanh Duy

At the meeting, leaders of several localities in the northern, southwestern, and central border regions, Vinh Phuc province, and leaders of relevant ministries and branches reported on the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic, and presented a number of recommendations and proposals.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam assessed that in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic, all levels, sectors and political organizations have been very unanimous; the communication work of the press and social networks has been involved in reporting news quickly, including information and articles sharing experiences and encouraging doctors, border guards and people in quarantine and treatment so that people can understand and support.

In the coming time, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested continuing to promote the achieved results, encouraging the efforts of all forces, especially those in quarantine, those with good hearts and good examples during the epidemic.

Delegates follow the conference at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

“The important thing along with encouragement is to promote the entire system, including the people through information technology means to contribute to early detection and immediate notification to the authorities of cases that may be suspected of being infected,” the Deputy Prime Minister said when mentioning the first principle of safe epidemic suppression: any place suspected of having an epidemic must be isolated and suppressed immediately on the spot.

Besides, comrade Vu Duc Dam requested to strictly implement the instructions and directions of the Government leaders on the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic.

"Never before have the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister given such detailed and specific instructions," the Deputy Prime Minister said, then requested that the Ministry in charge of the Education sector soon discuss plans so that people and the system can be more proactive.

At Nghe An bridge, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long requested the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to receive the Deputy Prime Minister's direction and continue to direct and implement, strengthen epidemic prevention measures, especially paying attention to the education sector.