Large-scale testing in Huu Lung: Improving the efficiency of zoning and containing the epidemic

– Facing the risk of spreading the Covid-19 epidemic, Huu Lung district has implemented many timely, effective epidemic prevention and control measures. In particular, the large-scale testing for SARS-CoV-2 throughout the district has promptly zoned, quarantined and contained new outbreaks in the community.

According to the report of the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, from May 6, 2021 to June 13, 2021, Huu Lung was the area with the largest number of Covid-19 cases in the province with 91/98 cases (92.9%). Of the Covid-19 cases in Huu Lung district, the health sector has identified 19 cases where the original source of infection could not be identified. Therefore, besides tightening epidemic prevention and control measures, large-scale testing was carried out promptly, quickly and effectively.

Accordingly, the plan for large-scale testing in the entire Huu Lung district was implemented from June 2 to June 7, 2021 with a force of 138 health workers divided into 46 teams to carry out testing. On average, 46 testing teams performed 15,000 to 20,000 samples per day, including Realtime sampling (RT-PCR) and rapid antigen testing.

In particular, Department of Health has appointed a leader directly in charge of epidemic prevention and control in Huu Lung district. Doctor Nguyen Ngoc Tung, Deputy Director of Department of Health in charge of epidemic prevention and control in Huu Lung district said that in a short time, the large-scale sampling ensured the plan with 105,464 people tested out of a total of 112,444 people present in the locality provided by the People’s Committee of Huu Lung District, reaching the rate of 93.79%. In which, 105,461 people had negative testing results (accounting for 93.78%); three samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Health workers took samples for large-scale testing in Huu Lung township, Huu Lung district

After completing the large-scale testing plan in the district, the health sector is continuing to take samples for communes and township which have not completed sample collection. As of 3:00 pm on June 10, 2021, the total number of people sampled for large-scale testing in the district was 112,444 people (reaching 100%). In which, 112,441 had negative results, three cases with positive results were quarantined and treated promptly.

The situation of Covid-19 epidemic in Huu Lung district is being strictly controlled. Having the above results, in addition to the efforts of medical staff and health workers, is the joint participation of local authorities in the epidemic prevention and control. Along with that, the Steering Committee at all levels in Huu Lung district worked closely with the health force to ensure the implementation of the large-scale testing plan as planned such as making a list of people to be tested; arranging testing areas, supporting reporting in testing areas, contributing to improving the efficiency of large-scale testing in the area.

Mr. Bui Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Huu Lung District, Head of Huu Lung District Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control said that before implementing the large-scale testing plan, the District People’s Committee had a written document to the People’s Committees of all communes and township in the area to urgently review and make a list of people present in the locality to carry out large-scale testing; appoint commune-level staff who are computer literate to participate in data entry, statistics and reporting during the large-scale testing. In addition, the district also directed villages and streets in the district to arrange locations for testing to ensure compliance with regulations and safety in epidemic prevention and conntrol.

In order to avoid missing cases that have not been sampled for large-scale testing, the District People’s Committee had a document to request leaders of People’s Committees of communes and township to uphold the spirit and responsibility of the head in epidemic prevention and control. If there is a situation where people are not tested or evade testing, local officials will be handled. This is a positive solution contributing to improving the efficiency of testing in Huu Lung district.

Mr. Dang Van Dao, Ben Luong village, Minh Son commune, Huu Lung district said that being informed by the village head of taking samples for testing, his family and he were fully present and on time. Sampling time was fast, everyone was arranged, lined up at the right distance and wearing facial masks, so he felt secure.

It can be seen that, in addition to the efforts of the competent forces, people’s awareness of epidemic prevention and control and participation in taking samples for testing within the prescribed time contributed to ensuring sampling this time.

Mr. Nguyen The Toan, Director of Department of Health, said that facing the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic in Huu Lung district, the health sector continues to direct the grassroots health to take samples for the 2^nd and 3^rd testing in high-risk areas. In particular, the cases that have tested with negative results absolutely must not be negligent and subjective in the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures. Only in this way will the Covid-19 prevention and control be effective, preventing the disease from spreading in the community.