Rapid testing, social distancing on the smallest possible scale
(Baonghean.vn) - Those are the instructions of the Ministry of Health that the People's Committee of Nghe An province has just issued a document requesting departments, branches and localities to urgently implement.
On September 17, the People's Committee of Nghe An province sent a document to departments, branches and localities on the implementation of the Ministry of Health's telegram. Accordingly, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long requested the Director of the Department of Health and the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns, based on their functions and tasks, to urgently implement the direction of the Ministry of Health in the telegram No. 1409 dated September 15 on testing and some measures to prevent and control the epidemic when implementing social distancing and strengthening social distancing.
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| The checkpoint at Ben Thuy bridge has been operating continuously for over 3 months. Photo: Tien Hung |
The content of the Ministry of Health's dispatch stated that the COVID-19 epidemic situation is still complicated and may last in many localities, especially with the Delta variant which has a short incubation period, high pathogen dissemination ability, and rapid spread (virus concentration in throat fluid is about 1,000 times higher than previous SARS-CoV-2 strains).
In recent times, 23 provinces and cities have implemented social distancing and enhanced social distancing and achieved certain results in slowing the spread of the epidemic.
"However, there are still some shortcomings such as not strictly implementing social distancing, not determining the goals, scope, time, and epidemic control solutions, especially testing, leading to having to implement social distancing for a long time, affecting people's lives," the telegram signed by the Minister of Health stated.
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| Taking large-scale testing samples from residents at an apartment building in Vinh City. Photo: Tien Hung |
Continuing to implement the direction of the Prime Minister, Head of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health requests Heads of the Steering Committees for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of provinces and cities to strictly implement the telegrams and conclusions of the Prime Minister and focus on a number of contents, specifically:
When implementing social distancing and strengthening social distancing (hereinafter referred to as distancing), it is necessary to determine the scope and scale of distancing according to the principle of the smallest and narrowest possible scope (village, hamlet, group, hamlet, neighborhood, etc.).
The goal of social distancing is to control the epidemic as quickly as possible (within 14 days).
Resolutely and effectively implement measures including:
- Strictly implement social distancing;
-Ensure food for people, do not let them lack food or clothing;
- Synchronously and effectively deploy medical measures such as testing, treatment, and vaccination, ensuring people have early access to medical care, remotely, right at the grassroots level;
- Ensure public safety, security, social order and safety, and at the same time propagate, mobilize and encourage people to participate in epidemic prevention and control work. Red and orange zones must be tested 3 times within 7 days.
Rapid testing is key,important to control the epidemic soon. For very high-risk and high-risk areas (red zones, orange zones), all people in the area must be tested 3 times within 7 days, with priority given to the use of rapid antigen tests to immediately isolate F0 cases in order to isolate the source of infection and provide timely treatment. Rapid antigen tests and Realtime RT-PCR (RT-PCR) tests can be combined.
For the remaining areas, test every 5-7 days.
Pooling samples according to practical conditions, by household, room and adjacent households. When testing RT-PCR, results must be guaranteed within 12 hours.
Conduct definitive testing for each location. Ensure no cross-contamination when taking samples.
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| A checkpoint on the village road. Photo: Tien Hung |
The Ministry of Health's dispatch also requested localitiesconcentrate sampling forcesfor very high-risk and high-risk areas; divide sampling points and organize multiple sampling teams; rapid antigen testing can be performed by volunteers or residents.
In case of exceeding capacity, promptly discuss with neighboring provinces and cities for support or report to the National Steering Committee.
The Ministry of Health also recommends that localitiesImmediately establish and deploy mobile medical stations in communes, wards and towns with high risk, very high risk; locations can be selected at schools, cultural houses, office buildings... in the area according to the principle of being closest to the people.
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| The Ministry of Health's dispatch also requested localities to concentrate their forces on sampling in very high-risk and high-risk areas. Photo: Tien Hung |
Regarding human resources, equipment, drugs and activities, follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health (Decision No. 4042/QD-BYT dated August 21, 2021; Decision No. 4038/QD-BYT dated August 21, 2021; Decision No. 4109/QD-BYT dated August 26, 2021; Decision No. 4349/QD-BYT dated September 10, 2021). Prepare locations, equipment, and human resources for communes, wards, and towns at risk and new normal levels to promptly deploy when the risk level increases.
