From now on until August 12, Hanoi is at high risk of coronavirus transmission in the community, thus the city needs to raise the Covid-19 alert to a higher level, according to Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committe Nguyen Duc Chung addresses the meeting on August 5

Hanoi is currently considered a locality with low risk of infection, but given the complicated progression of the pandemic, everyone has to be vigilant and keep up with preventive measures, Mr. Chung said at a meeting of the city’s Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on August 5.

The decision came as Hanoi on August 5 detected another Covid-19 case linked to the outbreak in Danang. The latest patient, a 42-year-old male, is a bus manager at October 10 Bus Company and resides in Bac Tu Liem district. He had been wandering around in the community for 14 days, Mr. Chung noted.

Since the Covid-19 resurgence in Danang in late July, Hanoi has recorded three Covid-19 cases so far.

According to the mayor, the new coronavirus strain has caused a spike in the number of asymptomatic infections, many cases are in severe condition and require intensive treatment.

Since the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in Danang on July 25, the pandemic has now spread to 11 provinces and cities, with Danang and Quang Nam being Vietnam’s Covid-19 epicenters.

“The novel coronavirus has broken out in the community, especially at restaurants, bus stations and industrial parks, meaning anyone having been to Danang, especially to three hospitals which are the city’s Covid-19 clusters, or places where Covid-19 patients had visited, is facing high risk of infection,” Mr. Chung stressed.

He, therefore, requested all people who have visited all locations connected to Covid-19 patients should stay at home in 14 days.

The mayor asked all offices and restaurants to put in place preventive measures, including checking body temperature, washing hands, sterilizing their locations and keeping a safe distance.

He also ordered a ban on all bars, night clubs, festivals and events with massive turnout.

As a large city with high population density, the risk is growing every day in Hanoi, particularly as the coronavirus has now become more dangerous and highly infectious, Mr. Chung concluded.