Adapt safely but cannot be subjective to Covid-19

Facing the new wave of the epidemic

On the morning of October 25,Nghe Ancontinues to record new cases of Covid-19 infection. Specifically, there are 25 cases in 10 localities. Thus, since the beginning of the epidemic season, the province has recorded 2,257 patients (BN) infected.Covid-19in 21 localities. The Covid-19 epidemic is present and has complicated developments, threatening the peace and development of the locality.

Nghe An citizens return from southern provinces and cities. Photo: Thanh Cuong

At this time, in addition to the cases in the quarantine area, there are 2 localities in the province with cases from community transmission: Vinh City and Nghi Loc District. Of the 25 new cases recorded on the morning of October 25, Vinh City has 13 cases (11 cases in the blockade area; 02 cases are F1).

And in the past 10 days, Vinh City has had 69 F0 cases, belonging to 10 main infection groups: Bui Huy Bich Street; Nguyen Truong Khoat Street; Ben Thuy Ward; Trung Do Ward; Hung Dung Ward; Hung Binh Ward; Dong Vinh Ward; Vinh Tan Garment Factory; Nghe An Oncology Hospital and community screening cases... Also in the past 10 days, in Nghi Loc district, there were 12 F0 cases, belonging to 4 groups, including Nghi Xuan, Nghi Trung, Nghi Thach and Nghi Thinh communes.

According to epidemiologists: The infection groups in Vinh City all originated from the "epidemic cluster" on Bui Huy Bich Street (Ha Huy Tap Ward - Hung Loc Commune). In Nghi Loc District, the infection group in Nghi Xuan Commune was identified from the old "epidemic cluster" in Nghi Hai Ward (Cua Lo Town); the infection group in Nghi Trung Commune was from an infected case returning from the South; the source of infection for the two infection groups in Nghi Thach and Nghi Thinh Communes has not been determined.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh said: Nghe An has been facing a new wave of the epidemic. The main source of infection is from people returning from the southern provinces and cities, passing through and carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although the entire political and social system of the province has made many efforts to prevent it, the epidemic is still spreading to the community.

According to statistics from Nghe An health sector: From October 1 to now, the total number of citizens returning from the southern provinces is 22,265 people. Of which, the authorities have detected 254 positive cases (251 new infections, 3 re-positive cases).

People show signs of negligence and subjectivity.

Facing a new wave of the epidemic with many risks, it must be said that at this time, the general public and a part of the task of preventing and fighting the epidemic at the grassroots level still show signs of negligence and subjectivity. The most obvious manifestation is that when the whole Nghe An province is still at level 2 (medium risk), many people go out and interact with each other without wearing masks and keeping a distance according to the 5K recommendation of the Ministry of Health.

People returning from epidemic areas use food and beverage services at restaurants in Nghi Loc district. Photo: Thanh Cuong

When some non-essential services (beauty salons, massage parlors, bars, karaoke, internet, video games...) in level 1 areas (low risk - new normal) were allowed to reopen, many people forgot about the risks of the epidemic when practicing these services... In addition, there were some cases related to infected cases but did not voluntarily and honestly declare (only discovered after becoming F0).

Many people are losing the habit of “self-protection”. This subjectivity and negligence can be explained as a manifestation of psychological liberation after a long period of having to implement blockade, isolation and restriction measures. Subjectivity and negligence are most evident in people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19. They deliberately forget a fact: Even people who have been vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccine are still infected. (In the 254 infected cases alone, citizens returning from the South, up to 40 patients have been vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccine, 106 patients have been vaccinated with 1 dose of vaccine).

And currently, Nghe An has not been able to achieve community immunity (70% of people have been vaccinated with 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine). The rate of people in the whole province who have been vaccinated with 1 dose of Covid-19 vaccine has only reached 38%, and 2 doses has only reached 4%.

There are subjective manifestations

In the previous 4 waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, it must be said that communication work in general, especially the grassroots broadcasting system, has been focused on, promoted, and effectively promoted. It helps people raise awareness about the pandemic, self-protection awareness, and accompany all levels and sectors in fighting the pandemic...

Trung Do Ward locked down 44 households and took samples on the afternoon of October 19. Photo: Quang An

However, recently, the duration and frequency of information transmission on policies, guidelines, regulations, and recommendations related to the Covid-19 epidemic on channels and broadcasting systems of villages/hamlets/blocks/communes, communes/wards/towns have somewhat decreased. This is something that every citizen can feel and has also been clearly stated at meetings and instructions of the Steering Committee and the Command Center for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province in recent times.

The laxity is also evident in epidemic areas: There have been cases of misidentifying subjects returning from epidemic areas; investigation and tracing were not thorough, missing F1, leaving the wrong F1 subject isolated at home; militiamen participating in checkpoints entered high-risk blockade areas, coming into contact with F1; there was a phenomenon of medical stations calling F1 (being isolated at home) to leave the blockade area to come to the station to take samples for testing; there were cases of people in the blockade area passing through checkpoints to move out of the locality and then being tested as F0.

The negligence and subjectivity of the people, the laxity of some people in implementing the task of epidemic prevention at the grassroots level are very worrying. This is likened to internal undercurrents that erode and shake the "wall" of the "citadel" of epidemic prevention and control that the entire political system, society and community have tried to build and nurture for a long time.

Proactively adapt and effectively prevent epidemics

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Deputy Commander of the Provincial Center for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Director of Nghe An Department of Health stated: In the new state and situation, F0 cases will continue to appear. The transition from the "Zero Covid-19" strategy to "Safe, flexible adaptation, effective control of Covid-19" does not mean giving up. The requirement for all levels, sectors, localities and people is to proactively prevent and effectively control Covid-19 in accordance with the spirit of Resolution 128 of the Government; Decision 3896/QD-UBND and Plan 538/KH-UBND of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh inspects epidemic prevention and control work. Photo: Thanh Chung

Specifically: All levels, sectors and localities need to continue to step up the investigation, tracing and searching for people related to F0; strengthen communication work to raise people's awareness of epidemic prevention and self-protection, especially those with abnormal health symptoms who need to go to medical stations for free health check-ups and Covid-19 testing.

Localities need to identify and assess the epidemic level correctly. Determining the epidemic level needs to be accurate, regular, and as close as possible to each small area (block/hamlet/village/hamlet) so that appropriate epidemic prevention measures can be implemented. It is necessary to implement "wide zoning, narrow isolation", decide on the opening of non-essential services for testing so as not to miss F0 and "both prevent and control the epidemic and develop the economy"...

According to epidemiologists: The Covid-19 epidemic in Nghe An is still under control. However, in a worse situation, it is necessary to change the strategy, focusing on increasing the vaccination rate and improving the capacity to treat Covid-19 at the grassroots health care level.../.