Prime Minister: Bringing society into a 'new normal' period when Covid-19 may last another 1 to 2 years

On the morning of March 17, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired an online meeting between the Government Standing Committee, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, and 63 provinces and cities to evaluate the results of epidemic prevention and control work in the past time and discuss major solutions to effectively prevent and control the epidemic in the coming time.

At Nghe An bridge, comrades: Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Duong Dinh Chinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Health co-chaired.

View of the meeting. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

COVID-19 PANDEMIC MAY LAST FOR THE NEXT 1-2 YEARS

Reporting at the conference, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that to date, the world has recorded over 120 million infections and over 2.6 million deaths in 221 countries and territories.

In Vietnam, there have been 2,560 cumulative cases recorded to date, including 1,564 domestically transmitted cases. Of the recorded cases, 2,186 have been cured (85.4%), 339 are currently being treated (13.2%) and 35 have died (1.4%).

As soon as the epidemic first appeared in Vietnam, the epidemic prevention work received special attention and drastic direction from the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Government and the Prime Minister; the timely and effective participation of the entire political system, and the trust, solidarity and support of the people.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long reports at the meeting. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

In particular, the sense of responsibility and tireless efforts of the functional forces at the front line, focusing on drastically implementing a system of synchronous and appropriate solutions to control the epidemic, best protecting the health and lives of the people. The epidemic prevention measures were implemented promptly, effectively and achieved many positive results, recognized and highly appreciated by the people and international organizations.

In Nghe An, the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic has been carried out drastically, seriously and fully according to the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee, and the Ministry of Health in the spirit of not being subjective, negligent, or losing vigilance. The province also focuses on implementing the "dual goal" of both effectively preventing the epidemic and developing the economy and ensuring social security.

As of 5:00 p.m. on March 16, 2021, the province has isolated and monitored the health of 75,299 cases and is currently managing and isolating 362 cases. The total number of samples taken for testing is 40,847, of which 40,838 samples are negative, 9 samples are awaiting results. The total cost of spending due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic is more than 800 billion VND, of which the local budget has allocated more than 474 billion VND.

From the actual developments of the Covid-19 epidemic situation in the world and in Vietnam, and through the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures since the beginning of 2020, the National Steering Committee has drawn 9 lessons in the work of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Minister of Health said that the World Health Organization predicted that the epidemic situation would continue to develop complicatedly and could last for the next 1-2 years. In the country, the risk of an outbreak is always present, especially in large cities with high population density; in addition, there is the risk of disease intrusion due to illegal immigration.

Comrades: Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of the Department of Health co-chaired the Nghe An province bridge. Photo: Pham Bang

In the coming time, epidemic control depends largely on vaccine development. However, the supply of imported vaccines is still limited and domestic vaccines are expected to be available in Vietnam by the fourth quarter of 2021. In the immediate future, it is necessary to continue to maintain the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures according to the 5K recommendations, which are simple, economical and effective epidemic prevention and control measures at the present stage.

As of March 16, 2021, more than 16,000 people who are frontline forces in epidemic prevention have been vaccinated safely, and all vaccinated cases are in stable health condition. AstraZeneca will provide an expected delivery schedule to Vietnam in March 2021.

The first female volunteer to receive the experimental CIVIVAC vaccine at Hanoi Medical University. Photo: VGP/Hien Minh

The Ministry of Health continues to negotiate with other companies to diversify supply sources. The Ministry of Health is working with Pfizer, which is expected to provide 30 million doses in 2021. In addition, the Ministry of Health is also working to purchase vaccines from Johnson & Johnson, Modema, the Russian Investment Fund (Sputnik-V), etc.

In addition to imported vaccines, the Ministry of Health is promoting research and development of domestic vaccines. Vaccines produced in Vietnam are expected to be used in 2022, to proactively prepare vaccines, ensure supply, ensure health security, and proactively respond to future pandemics.

DON'T BE SUBJECTIVE, NEGLECT, OR LOSE VIGILANCE

After listening to reports from localities, ministries and branches, and speeches from Deputy Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said:It is emphasized that the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic is not over yet, many new and more dangerous strains of the virus have appeared. Therefore, ministries, branches, localities and people are required not to be subjective, negligent or lose vigilance because the risk of the epidemic is always present, without exception to any province, agency or person. We continue to implement the dual goal of both preventing the epidemic and developing the economy, bringing society into a new normal period.

In the coming time, the Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to strengthen leadership and direction, promote the responsibility of leaders in epidemic prevention and control, and absolutely not be negligent, subjective or lose vigilance. From the viewpoint of always being one step ahead, continue to adhere to the 5 principles of epidemic prevention and control that have been set out from the beginning and throughout the stages, namely "Prevention - Detection - Isolation - Zoning and Epidemic Suppression" according to the 4-on-the-spot motto; focus on the role of local authorities and promote the lesson of mobilizing people's strength to operate effectively by community-based Covid-19 teams.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the conclusion at an online meeting between the Government Standing Committee, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, and 63 provinces and cities. Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

The Prime Minister also requested localities to proactively develop anti-epidemic plans and be ready to respond to any epidemic situation that may occur in the area. Strictly implement the 4-on-the-spot motto in epidemic prevention work.

Prepare scenarios and plans to respond to epidemics; regularly organize training, drills, meetings, and exercises to proactively prepare for bad situations. When cases of the disease are detected, quickly and urgently deploy "rapid tracing, rapid isolation, widespread testing, and narrow lockdown".

Provinces and citiesstrongly direct the full implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures in the new situation according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health; effectively implement the 5K message and implement sanctions for violations of epidemic prevention and control work. Coordinate with the Ministry of Health to well organize Covid-19 vaccination to ensure safety, urgency, and the right subjects in accordance with Resolution 21/NQ-CP.

Panoramic view of Nghe An bridge. Photo: Pham Bang

Direct relevant units to strictly manage entry cases; Regularly organize inspections and supervise the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures at selected centralized quarantine facilities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also assigned specific tasks to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Transport... with the biggest, consistent goal of "protecting people's lives and health, bringing life back to normal" and continuing to successfully implement the dual goal of both preventing the epidemic and developing the economy.

In particular, the Ministry of Health urgently organizes the effective implementation of Covid-19 vaccination to ensure safety and the right subjects in accordance with the spirit of Resolution 21/NQ-CP towards universal vaccination. Continue to proactively access other vaccine sources in the world, while focusing on promoting research and development of domestic vaccines to put them into use soon, no later than 2022.

The Ministry of Information and Communications directs media agencies to promptly and accurately inform about the epidemic situation to warn people not to be subjective or negligent in preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic; continue to promote propaganda on the Ministry of Health's 5K recommendations and the Covid-19 vaccination policy; coordinate with competent authorities to detect and strictly handle individuals and organizations that intentionally spread false information about the epidemic situation, causing psychological impact and confusion in the community.