Hà Nội is expected to complete the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for 75,000 people returning from the central city of Đà Nẵng before August 20. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội is striving to complete the implementation of RT-PCT testing, a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, ahead of August 20 for 75,000 people who visited the central city of Đà Nẵng – a COVID-19 hotspot – and returned to Hà Nội from July 15, according to a leading official.

At a meeting in the capital on Monday, Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung also asked people returning from Đà Nẵng after July 8 to fill in the medical declaration form and those from July 15 to undergo PCR testing. 

The official requested the municipal Department of Health to closely monitor hospitals and medical facilities to prevent the disease outbreak, adding that suspected cases must be tested immediately.

He urged the Hà Nội Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure sufficient test kits for all districts, so that localities could conduct 10,000 – 12,000 tests per day.

According to Chung, hospitals pose the highest risk of infections, requiring strict compliance with preventive measures.

Chung requested those with coughing or fever symptoms to undergo tests immediately, and only when they have a negative PCR test result then the health facility could be allowed to treat other patients.

Chung said the city will set up 16 inspection teams to check on the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control tasks.

Director of the department Nguyễn Khắc Hiền reported that so far 98,440 have returned from Đà Nẵng to Hà Nội, including over 75,810 returnees from July 15. 

The city has carried out quick testing for more than 75,100 people and PCR testing for 859 others, detecting one positive for the SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease. — VNS