Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 1 asked the health minister to send more healthcare workers to southern hardest-hit areas by Covid-19.

It stated in an express document that it becomes a must-do mission to give timely medical support to the most affected cities and provinces like Ho Chi Minh City and its neighbors of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, Dong Thap, and Tien Giang.

On August 1, the Government decided to spend additional VND5.1 trillion (US$222 million) on purchasing medical equipment, biological products, chemicals, and drugs for the pandemic prevention and control.

On the same day, Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang issued an appeal to tap more strengths and dedication of the army in the fight against Covid-19.

Today, Vietnam reported more than 8,000 daily coronavirus infections for the third consecutive day, totaling 154,306. About 28% of the total patients have recovered while the death toll stays at 1,306.

Mobile vaccination model in Ho Chi Minh City on August 1. Photo: VnExpress

Ho Chi Minh City

The largest metropolis has decided to extend the lockdown to two more weeks from August 2 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. So far, the city is in the third week of the strongest restrictions following the Government’s order.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen has requested the local government to conduct four tasks for the next restriction period, which includes strong enforcement of social distancing; good treatment of Covid-19 patients; vaccination; and welfare for vulnerable groups and non-residents, and good care of health workers.

Of the missions, the city stressed the importance on inoculation campaign. Today, the city began in place vaccination in Thu Duc City and will maintain the model citywide soon. It targets to inject more than 70% of locals by the end of August.

Military personnel build makeshift hospital in Binh Duong. Photo: Duong Binh

Binh Duong

Ho Chi Minh City’s neighboring province of Binh Duong is the second largest epicenter with nearly 17,000 infections in total. The figure is predicted to touch 25,000 in the next few days, according to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vo Van Minh.

The local health sector attributed the widespread transmission to the high density of firms and crowded accommodation areas.

Covid-19 has attacked companies in the industrial parks, such as Estec Vina with 340 cases, Long Viet Wood Processing 248 cases, Timberland 233. Truong Hung Dung at Estec Vina cited close working room with air conditioner and slow testing results to the rising cases. The “3 on-site principle” (on-site production, on-site eating, on-site rest) is no longer suitable in some places due to the infection.

The province of 2.5 million population is one of the largest industrial park hubs in the south, accommodating nearly 50,000 companies and employing more than 1.2 million workers.

So far, the province has built four makeshift hospitals with a total capacity of 16,000 beds to serve the rising infections.

“The province will continue to speed up the large-scale testing and screening, returning results quickly within 12 hours for early detection and isolation of the confirmed cases,” said Vo Van Minh.

Binh Duong has asked the Government to send additional 5,500 health workers and medical equipment for the battle. It targets to vaccinate 70% of its population by early 2022.

Quiet Hanoi at night during lockdown. Photo: Khanh Huy/ Phap Luat Xa Hoi

Hanoi

From the resurgence of the virus on July 5, Hanoi has reported nearly 1,000 infections. It has undergone a week under partial lockdown.

Chairman of the city People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said the lockdown was timely imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

“Our lesson is one step ahead. It’s necessary to prepare the worst-case scenario in a proactive manner,” he said.