Blockade 2 hamlets, suspend teaching, conduct widespread Covid-19 testing in Nghi Phuong commune, Nghi Loc district

The Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center and the Nghe An Department of Health inspected and held an urgent meeting with Nghi Loc district. Photo: Thanh Chung

Late night November 8, Center for Disease Prevention and Control CommandCovid-19Nghe An province and Department of Health had an inspection and urgent meeting with the district.Nghi Locwhen many Covid-19 infections appeared in Nghi Phuong commune.

According to Nghi Loc district report: On November 6, a 7th grade student at Nghi Phuong Secondary School showed symptoms of fatigue so he was taken to the commune health station for a rapid test with suspicious results. Immediately after, this student was sampled for PCR testing and the result was confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Expanding the investigation, tracing and testing of people related to the above-mentioned student patient, Nghi Loc district has identified 9 more Covid-19 patients. Of which, 6 patients are students at 2 schools: Nghi Phuong Secondary School and Nghi Phuong Primary School, Branch 2. These 9 patients were announced on the afternoon of November 8. Through investigation and tracing, 160 F1 cases have been temporarily identified.

Next, Nghi Loc district conducted community screening using rapid tests for 2,454 people in hamlets 6 and 7, Nghi Phuong commune and discovered 9 more suspected cases. Currently, all 9 suspected test samples are being tested by Nghe An CDC for PCR confirmation.

Checking the blockade of the temporarily locked down area in hamlets 6 and 7 of Nghi Phuong commune. Photo: Thanh Chung

Expanding testing of people related to the infected cases in Nghi Phuong commune, authorities also identified 1 more suspected case in Nghi Dong commune and 2 suspected cases in Nghi Dien commune, Nghi Loc district.

At the urgent meeting, the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center, Nghe An Department of Health and Nghi Loc District focused on analyzing the epidemic situation. Accordingly: The source of infection was determined to originate from the outbreak in Nghi Hoa Commune. There were 2 F0 cases in Nghi Phuong who were F1 of the case in Nghi Hoa Commune.

The Covid-19 epidemic in Nghi Phuong commune is very complicated, with a high risk of spreading. F0 cases have had wide contact with many people participating in religious activities. In particular, the epidemic has penetrated into schools. It is very difficult to investigate and trace when F0 is a student.

Concluding the meeting, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Deputy Commander of the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center, Director of Nghe An Department of Health requested Nghi Loc district to continue directing functional forces to investigate and trace all F1s and related people; strictly block off areas 6 and 7, Nghi Phuong commune and conduct testing according to regulations.

Nghi Phuong Secondary and Primary Schools have temporarily suspended teaching and learning activities for 14 days to implement epidemic prevention and control measures; students are quarantined at home and tested periodically. In the family, parents and relatives are required to limit contact with children.

Discussing the epidemic situation with the priest of Thanh Son Parish - Trai Gao. Photo: Thanh Chung

At this time, Nghi Phuong commune is at level 4 of the epidemic level. Therefore, the commune needs to stop all meetings and large gatherings; set up checkpoints to limit people entering and leaving the area; and resolutely implement anti-epidemic solutions.

In addition, Nghi Loc district and Nghi Phuong commune need to strengthen propaganda for people to understand and accompany the Party Committee and government in fighting the epidemic; propagate people with abnormal symptoms: cough, fever, difficulty breathing... to proactively go to medical facilities for SARS-CoV-2 screening.

During the night, the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center, Nghe An Department of Health and Nghi Loc District met with the priest of Thanh Son - Trai Gao Parish, Nghi Phuong Commune to discuss the epidemic situation; hoping that the priest would continue to pay attention and support the epidemic prevention work in the area./.