Lang Son inspects coronavirus prevention efforts

(LSO) – The Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Acute Respiratory Disease Caused by Coronavirus (nCoV) of Lang Son province inspected epidemic prevention and control in Lang Son City and districts on February 4.

*A team led by Pham Ngoc Thuong – Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee – toured Lang Son City, Thanh Long commune of Van Lang district and Bao Lam commune of Cao Loc district to check preventive work against the spread of the virus.

Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Ngoc Thuong speaks in conclusion of the inspection at Thanh Long commune, Van Lang district.

It was reported that there were 143 workers returning from China in Thanh Long and Bao Lam, which border China. They have arrived in Vietnam for over 14 days and showed no symptoms of getting infected with the virus. The workers have been provided with information about the disease and had their health monitored since then.

Twenty eight people from those communes still remain in China.

The Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee requested the communes and districts to focus on raising people’s awareness of the new coronavirus and keep a close watch on the health of those coming back from China.

Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Ngoc Thuong and the working group examine the province’s General Hospital.

The communes were asked to enhance coordination with competent authorities to prevent local residents from illegal entering China via trails and border crossings.

The official stressed that local authorities must not underestimate the danger of the virus and must make preventive work a focal task while continuing to implement other regular tasks.

The chairman also examined the provincial general hospital where he urged the hospital to mobilise all necessary personnel and facilities and develop various scenarios in order to prepare for any related emergency.

*A working group led by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Duong Xuan Huyen, who is also standing deputy head of the steering committee on prevention and control of the acute respiratory disease caused by nCoV, examined prevention efforts in Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Loc Binh and Dinh Lap districts.

Huyen ordered more effective educational campaigns so as to raise local people’s awareness of the respiratory disease and preventive measures to prevent unnecessary panic among the public.

The districts’ steering boards need to enhance examination on the operation and response to the disease of the steering boards at communal level as well as organise training courses on nCoV prevention, he said, adding rapid response teams to prevent the spread of the virus must be activated at the districts.

Meanwhile, health stations should stock up on medical equipment and materials, and keep close watch on the number of workers returning home from China so as to timely take isolation measure.

*Inspecting the prevention work in Bac Son, Binh Gia, Van Quan and Trang Dinh districts, Director of the provincial Department of Health Nguyen The Toan, who is deputy head of the steering committee on prevention and control of nCoV, requested the localities to pay due attention to communication work, accelerating cleaning and disinfection at schools, hospitals and households, and keeping track of the health of workers who came home from China, especially Wuhan city.

Toan also ordered the districts to ensure sufficient patient beds and medical supplies in order to isolate suspected cases if necessary.