A medical worker guides residents on prevention of COVID-19. The city will extend social distancing from today (August 12). — VNS Photo Lê Lâm

CENTRAL REGION — Đà Nẵng will extend social distancing measures from Wednesday (August 12) after the first two-week period ended on August 11.

The city said the extension is to stop the spread of the virus.

It said 277 people were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first isolation order between July 25 and August 11. Twelve patients had died and four others were released from hospital, while 257 patients are in treatment at hospitals and field hospitals in the city.

The city warned that local people should stay at home. All households in the city were allowed to go shopping at the market every three days to avoid overcrowding.

Body temperature checks, health declarations and testing will be conducted at high-risk areas – where COVID-19 patients were found to live or have been.

Authorities locked down two residential areas in Tam Kỳ City in central Quảng Nam Province after two COVID-19 patients were found in the area. More than 200 people living in the area will be tested.

Representatives of Việt Nam News Agency (VNA)'s Central and Central Highlands region office bring a donation of medical equipment and face masks to a quarantine centre in Đà Nẵng. VNS Photo Lê Lâm

Six COVID-19 patients in Quảng Ngãi Province tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 according to the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang on August 10.

Two patients (No 370 and 419) tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 three times in a row, and they would be released from hospital soon. The four other patients tested negative for the first time and they need at least two more tests to confirm they are fully recovered.

The province has isolated 1,225 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients at quarantine centres. More than 1,057 people did not report symptoms. — VNS