Vietnam city adds beds in preparation for another case surge

HO CHI MINH CITY – Ho Chi Minh City has set up four more facilities to increase its mandatory Covid-19 quarantine capacity to more than 10,000 beds amid the recent alarming rise in transmission.

Speaking at a meeting on Friday, deputy chairman of its People’s Committee, Dương Anh Đức, said the city is geared to cope with a major outbreak.

The testing capacity can be ramped up quickly to 30,000 to 40,000 tests a day from the current 15,000.

The city is also preparing to treat 100 to 200 cases daily if required.

Đức called on the heads of agencies to prepare to act quickly to trace people who come in close contact with patients.

Inspection teams will step up surprise checks of manufacturing facilities, markets, commercial centers, bus stations, education and training facilities, and centralized quarantine facilities to ensure they follow all preventive measures.

Local authorities have been told to closely monitor closed gyms and fitness centers, bars, karaoke parlors, cinemas, discotheques, and wedding centers and all events attended by more than 30 people, and impose heavy fines if they detect violations.

Businesses that are allowed to remain open are required to strictly comply with the Ministry of Health’s safety criteria.

“Lax management and oversight can result in outbreaks,” Đức warned.

Voluntary blood donation is allowed to continue normally. (VNS)