A health official takes test samples from people who have returned from Đà Nẵng, where a COVID-19 outbreak has occurred. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hằng

HCM CITY — The city must prepare facilities and human resources for at least 50 new COVID-19 cases, HCM City Party Committee secretary Nguyễn Thiện Nhân said at a recent meeting with the Steering Board for COVID-19 prevention and control.

Under a scenario with 50 cases, nearly 14,000 people will have to be quarantined.

The city has added eight new COVID-19 cases.  

“We need to define the city’s current situation to have a forecast and address solutions. Which group of risks does the city fall in?” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have returned from Đà Nẵng and the number of cases is expected to increase. Anyone returning from the area since July 1 should self-quarantine and fill out health declarations, Nhân said.  

According to the city Department of Health, more than 36,000 people returning from Đà Nẵng have made health declarations. However, airlines’ statistics show that 140,000 people in the city were on flights from Đà Nẵng to the city in July.

The risk of COVID-19 infections in the community remains high, he said, adding that migrants' entry to the city must be strictly controlled.

Services, production and trade establishments should ensure safety and limit gatherings of more than 30 people as per the Ministry of Health’s requirements.

Relevant agencies should strengthen communications about preventive measures against COVID-19 such as wearing of masks in public, he said, adding that at least 20 per cent of people were not wearing masks in public.

The city should also ensure a sufficient supply of masks, he added.

Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyễn Thành Phong instructed agencies to fine people who do not wear masks in public starting on August 5. The maximum fine will be VNĐ300,000 (US$13).

Phong instructed the Department of Industry and Trade to publish addresses of sites where masks are sold.

The city is also encouraging online business, and requiring that essential goods such as masks and hand sanitizers should be in sufficient supply. Speculators in these goods will be fined.

Phong approved setting up control sites again at city gates including Long Phước toll stations on HCM City-Long Thành-Dầu Giây expressway, Trung Lương expressway, Đôi Bridge on Trần Văn Giàu Street, Ba Làng and Xuyên Á streets, bridges Phú Cường, Vĩnh Bình, and Sóng Thần, highways 1K, 50, and 1A, Đồng Nai bridge, Miền Tây and Miền Đông bus stations, Tân Sơn Nhất airport and Cát Lái port.   

As of August 3, the city had recorded a total of 69 COVID-19 incidences. The city has 234 people with symptoms of respiratory tract infections which are being watched for, tested and quarantined at hospitals. Of these, 152 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. The rest are waiting for test results.

The city has one patient who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 again after being discharged from a branch of National Hospital for Tropical Diseases on July 30. The patient was tested again after being quarantined and is now being treated at Củ Chi Field Hospital.  

A Japanese man infected with the virus came to the city on July 17-18 and went to many places including Lotus Company on Nơ Trang Long Street in Bình Thạnh District, Fami Company on B4 Sala Street in District 2, Nam An Market shop on Thảo Điền Street in District 2, River Gate Residence in District 4, and others.

City authorities are tracking 28 people who have had close contact with these patients. — VNS