Hanoi will conduct focused, large-scale testing of Covid-19 from August 27 to September 4 with a total of about 200,000 samples done by the RT-PCR testing and will prepare testing scenarios for the period after September 6, when social distancing ends.

A health worker takes samples for Covid-19 testing. Photo: Pham Hai

According to the Hanoi People's Committee, there are still locally transmitted cases in the community, especially cases detected through coughs and fever screening. In addition, the Delta variant is highly contagious and has a short transmission cycle (about two days), so there are still infection cases that are undetected.

The city will continue to focus all resources, take advantage of every minute, use all means to make the most of the "golden time" of social distancing days to carry out testing to detect positive cases in the community for isolation and treatment.

Specifically, the city will conduct focused, large-scale testing from August 27 to September 4 with a total of about 200,000 samples by RT-PCR tests, divided into two phases.

Phase 1: 80,000 samples will be taken from August 27 to 30.

Phase 2: 120,000 samples will be taken from August 31 to September 4.

In these two phases, testing will be performed in high-risk communes and wards; and old apartment blocks that are crowded and narrow. Samples will be collected from 1-2 members of each family.

In phase 2, more samples will be taken from high-risk subjects (shippers, drivers of transport service firms, people working at goods supply companies, employees at markets, supermarkets, etc.).

For the time after September 6 when social distancing ends, Hanoi has set two testing scenarios.

Scenario 1: When outbreaks worsen in districts and towns that have been at high risk, with a high number of infection cases, blockades must be implemented.

On that basis, the city will take 800,000 samples for testing in high-risk areas in 12 districts (Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai, Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem, Dong Da, Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, Nam Tu Liem, Bac Tu Liem, Dong Anh, Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin); at-risk areas in the remaining districts and towns; subjects at risk such as people who travel a lot, people on duty in supply chains, and people who are in constant contact with other people.

The testing will be conducted in seven days.

Scenario 2: The Covid-19 epidemic is complicated in districts and some areas of districts with large numbers of cases must be locked down.

The city will collect 1.5 million samples for testing in high-risk areas in 12 districts; at-risk areas in the remaining districts and towns; subjects at risk such as people who travel a lot, people on duty in supply chains, people who are in constant contact with other people. The testing will be conducted in 7 days.

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