The HCM City Department of Information and Communication on Tuesday launched an app to help enterprises and organisations assess transmission risks for COVID-19. — VNA/VNS Photo Tiến Lực

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Information and Communication on Tuesday launched an application that will help assess COVID-19 transmission risks. 

The app is available on the website https://antoandn.tphcm.gov.vn and is expected to be in app stores on Android and iOS soon.

The app will also help the Steering Board for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and relevant agencies monitor the situation.

The city has issued safety criteria for businesses in the fields of tourism, transport, food services, education, trading markets, supermarkets, and commercial centres. Other criteria for museums, relics, libraries, and sport service establishments have also been issued.

Fundraising

The fundraising board for COVID-19 prevention and control has received more than VNĐ153 billion (US$6.5 million) in donations from companies and individuals since March 20 when the fund was launched by the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee in HCM City.

Of the number, VNĐ2 billion was donated to Cần Giờ District Hospital, a dormitory used as a quarantine area at Việt Nam National University-HCM City, Chợ Rẫy Hospital, the city's Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Củ Chi Field Hospital, the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hà Nội, and the Military School’s Building Block A which is used as a quarantine area.

Nearly VNĐ2 billion was donated to doctors and other health staff at quarantine areas, and to 16 sites that check body temperatures and health declaration forms. 

More than VNĐ14 billion was allocated to 18,707 lottery ticket sellers who faced difficulties during the social distancing period.

Dr Nguyễn Tấn Bỉnh, head of the Department of Health, said that 55 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the city since the outbreak, including 11 being treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Củ Chi Field Hospital.  

As of May 4, the city has 88 people isolated in its quarantine areas, while 103 are self-isolating at home.

Of the 11 patients being treated at hospitals, nine who previously recovered and were discharged from hospitals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 again. 

At an online meeting of the Steering Board for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Monday (May 4), Lê Thanh Liêm, vice chairman of the city People’s Committee, told local health officials to test patients who have recovered and been discharged every day during a 30 day period. 

The areas where these patients live should be isolated, he said.

COVID-19 patients who have been discharged from hospitals are isolated in the city’s quarantine areas for 14 days.

Liêm also told people’s committees, especially in districts of 1 and 2, and the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention to continue carrying out strict surveillance of COVID-19 patients who recover and are discharged from hospitals and are sent home.

These patients are required to comply with regulations about self-quarantine at home for 14 days after their discharge. They should wear masks, wash hands regularly, limit contact with others, and monitor their health for 30 days.

Liêm also instructed the department to increase the number of tests of people who have been quarantined after entering Việt Nam from other countries. During this period, they should be tested on the first, fifth, 10th and 14th day of quarantine instead of just two times before.

The city will continue testing workers who live in rented rooms, staff serving meals to workers at companies, and servers at large restaurants, as well as people with symptoms of respiratory diseases who go to hospitals for examination and treatment.

Drugstore staff should also provide information about COVID-19 for people who have symptoms of respiratory diseases.

The department is working with other agencies to check companies, organisations and establishments to ensure that they are complying with safety criteria for COVID-19 prevention and control which the People’s Committee has issued. — VNS