COVID-19 fight strengthened on high risk of Omicron entry

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – The Health Ministry has sent a dispatch to chairpersons of municipal and provincial People’s Committees on strengthening COVID-19 prevention and control measures against Omicron variant.

On November 25, the World Health Organisation declared Omicron (B.1.1.529), which was first detected in South Africa, as a SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern.

As of December 2, at least 27 countries and territories had reported infections related to the variant. Vietnam has not yet detected any cases infected with the new variant, however the risk of its entry and transmission is very high.

Under the dispatch, localities were asked to continue effectively following the Government’s Resolution No.128/NQ-CP and the Health Ministry’s Decision No.4800/QD-BYT on the effective implementation of principles 5K vaccine, medicines technology public awareness, focusing on the main pillars of testing, vaccination and public awareness.

They must build scenarios to cope with the pandemic at the grassroots level, improve the capacity of the grassroots medical system, ensure sufficient medicines and medical supplies, and continue upholding the role of community-based COVID-19 teams and mobile medical stations.

They were assigned to enhance supervision over entries from abroad, especially those from Omicron-hit areas such as the southern African region and several European countries, as well as those showing symptoms of coughing, high temperature to discover infections. At the same time, they must accelerate vaccination for those aged above 12, with priority given to those aged above 50 and living with underlying diseases.

About COVID-19 treatment, the top priority will be mitigating deaths by ensuring sufficient medical supplies and other necessary conditions at the earliest.

Cities and provinces must enhance inspection in agencies, units, businesses, especially in hospitals, manufacturing facilities, supermarkets, airports and bus stations while regularly updating their statuses on the COVID-19 safe living map.