Localities asked to ramp up large-scale testing for COVID-19 at high-risk areas
VGP – The Ministry of Health has urged 23 cities and provinces current placed under social distancing order to ramp up mass testing for COVID-19 in high-risk areas.
The move aims to early detect infected cases, thus limiting the risk of transmission as the pandemic has not been brought under control.
These localities are Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh,Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Long An, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Hau Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Ha Noi, Da Nang, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa.
By September 15, the aforesaid localities need to conduct at least three rounds of COVID-19 sample collection for all residents living extremely high and high-risk areas.
The localities also need to test all residents in other areas at least once and those who work at medical and production facilities every three days over the period.
For other localities, authorities need to test all patients who display symptoms of cough, fever, and shortness of breath when they go to hospital for medical checks and treatment.
Authorities also need to deploy screening tests for certain or all family members of those who are shippers or work at supermarkets traditional markets, or live in densely-populated areas.
By Kim Anh
