Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam: Vietnam continues to control the Covid-19 epidemic well

The initial experiences and lessons learned from Phase 1 need to be further promoted. Specifically, under the timely and close leadership, direction and encouragement of the Party and State from the highest levels, the entire political system has taken part, especially the People's Army, the People's Police and the health sector.

We also receive the sympathy, support and participation of the people. People increasingly trust the leadership and direction of the Party and State in fighting the epidemic, thereby arousing patriotism and responsibility to the community.

Vietnam also gained the sharing and support of international organizations, ASEAN, and countries in disease prevention and control.

Another lesson learned is to adhere to the principles of epidemic prevention: Prevention - Detection - Isolation - Containment - Suppression (with special attention to detection) and the 4 on-site principles and decentralized treatment.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam also emphasized that recent reality has also pointed out issues that need to be corrected and lessons learned, such as communication work at times and in some places was not really good, causing confusion in society (such as the time when the 17th case appeared).

The management, procurement, and production of materials and equipment (for example, medical masks) still face many difficulties and delays due to the rigidity in applying regulations; some places have not yet thoroughly grasped the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy".

Adjusting the program, time, and learning method (online) for students is not yet proactive and consistent.

The inter-sectoral coordination mechanism in some stages and locations (for example at the airport) is not yet smooth.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam analyzed that the current situation has many new points, different from the initial stage that need to be noted in order to have specific and appropriate solutions. Detecting and isolating suspected cases is still difficult, especially in cases where the direct source of infection cannot be traced (the infected person has not traveled abroad, and it is not known whether he or she has had direct contact with the infected person or not).

Due to the pandemic situation and policies towards foreigners in other countries, if the pandemic is well controlled domestically, many Vietnamese people will want to return home. Among them, many may be infected. If not well controlled, it will overload quarantine facilities and treatment capacity.

Therefore, in addition to the solutions implemented in the previous phase, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized the need to strengthen and focus more on the following groups of solutions: Strengthening coordination between sectors and levels; applying information technology; testing capacity, mobilizing people's participation to shorten the time needed to detect people at risk of infection right from entry, in quarantine areas and in the community.

Increasing testing capacity is urgent. We have proactively produced test kits, but the number of laboratories, machines, and testing experts is still very small compared to developed countries and compared to demand.

Along with that, strengthen the responsibility of the government and grassroots health care in approaching, propagating, and guiding groups of people to implement self-prevention measures and health care. In particular, pay attention to the elderly, people with underlying diseases, and people with disabilities to have necessary medical support on the spot.

Ensure facilities, supplies, and equipment for situations where many people must be quarantined (centrally or at home), many people are sick to effectively quarantine and treat, minimize the mortality rate due to infection, while still ensuring treatment for other patients.

Proactively prepare and promote appropriate solutions in case the global pandemic lasts for a long time to develop production and business and ensure services closely related to people such as healthcare, education, culture, etc.

Further strengthen propaganda and mobilization work so that people can proactively participate in fighting the epidemic, producing, doing business, and living healthily in epidemic conditions. Strengthen propaganda to arouse people's awareness and responsibility towards the community and the country; fight against toxic news, bad news, and forces that take advantage to sabotage.

Under the leadership of the Party, the participation of the entire political system, and the participation of the people, we have reason to believe that we will control the epidemic well, prevent it from spreading widely, and minimize the number of deaths, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said.