During the unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak, to make sure the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils for the 2021-2026 term will take place in a Covid-19 secure way...
During the unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak, to make sure the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils for the 2021-2026 term will take place in a Covid-19 secure way, Khanh Hoa health sector has developed plans for sufficient medical personnel and facilities before, during and after the election.
Sufficient medical service assured
Medical centers and agencies under the Department of Health have provided consultancy for localities to develop plans to ensure environmental hygiene and pandemic control in polling sites. Medical centers of districts and towns have founded fixed and roving medical teams; ensured sufficient equipment and disinfectants in all polling and counting locations; founded 24-hour roving emergency teams in response to any incidents in need of medical care and pandemic prevention and control before, during and after the election; cooperated with relevant agencies and localities to ensure food safety and make preparedness plans for any cases of food poisoning; strengthened inspection and supervision over the preparations at lower levels of care.
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According to Bui Xuan Minh, Director of the Department of Health, to proactively ensure the pandemic prevention and control and respond to any incidents arising during the election day, on May 19, the Department of Health issued an adjustment plan to implement activities against Covid-19 epidemic and ensure environmental hygiene in polling locations to serve the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils for the 2021-2026 term, following 4 schemes specifically applied for non-Covid-19 areas; areas in quarantine or under social distancing or blockade areas (if any); hospitals and medical facilities involved in care for patients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.
To assure Covid-19-safe election, all voters in self-quarantine or centralized quarantine; patients and medical staff at hospitals and medical facilities currently treating Covid-19 patients will be given private pens, rulers and gloves which will be treated as SARS-CoV-2 waste after use. Ballot-papers of patients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 will be disinfected with ultra-violet light for at least 30 minutes each side.
Comprehensive preparation
Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control has founded 4 roving teams, comprising experienced staff in dealing with pandemic prevention and control; purchased and distributed nearly 100,000 face masks, 4,000 bottles of disinfectants and nearly 1 ton of Chloramine B to localities based on the demand for medical equipment against Covid-19 serving the upcoming election. Besides, the center has also stored 2 tons of disinfectants, more than 200,000 facemasks and 200,000 personal protective gowns, ensuring a sufficient supply for those in need. The center has provided training for members of election teams on how to use personal protective equipment, etc.
Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control has founded inspection teams to supervise preparations for epidemic prevention and control in polling sites in localities. Polling sites have well abided with regulations. The center has also reported institutionally quarantined and self-quarantined persons and Covid-19 patients to the Provincial Election Committee. Under the Department of Health’s instruction, the center has collected samples for Covid-19 coronavirus testing among election officials working in centralized and home quarantined locations and health facilities before, during and after the election.
The health sector has cooperated with localities to disinfect all polling and counting stations 1 day before the election; and make sure hand sanitizer, face masks and body check devices available for use. Hospitals have prepared sufficient equipment and human resources for medical assistance and emergency in election sites when required, according to Huynh Van Dong, Director of Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control.
According to the data released by the Provincial Center for Disease Control, the number of voters under home quarantine or centralized quarantine and Covid-19 patients in Khanh Hoa Province till the election day (May 23) is 568, including 31 confirmed cases; 475 F1 cases related to patient No. 3141, travelers from abroad and crew currently in centralized quarantine facilities; and 62 self- quarantined.
C.Dan
Translated by N.T
