On the afternoon of January 30, Hanoi’s Covid-19 Prevention Steering Committee held an online meeting with district and ward officials to step up efforts to stop the virus from spreading.
At the meeting, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Hoang Duc Hanh reported that since January 28, Hanoi has recorded 4 new community cases.
Specifically, a female patient from Times City, Vinh Tuy ward, Hai Ba Trung district, a male patient temporarily residing in Cau Giay, and two workers confirmed on January 30 all work at the Z153 factory under the Ministry of National Defense in Dong Anh district.
The Dong Anh district representative said all close contacts (F1) linked to the fourth case have been tested, with results expected overnight on January 30. The entire community connected to the Z153 factory is under strict checkpoints to limit movement. The factory itself, with 400 workers, is fully locked down. Fifty-seven people have been sent to quarantine, while over 300 remaining workers inside the factory have all been tested and samples sent to Hanoi CDC.
The district requested the Department of Health to conduct comprehensive testing for more than 2,000 residents around the factory. They also asked the city to convert Bac Thang Long Hospital into a dedicated Covid-19 treatment center. Dong Anh officials proposed closing schools starting next week, effectively beginning Tet holiday a week early to prevent spread.
Health leaders and Hanoi CDC agree the risk of transmission is very high since some F1 and F2 contacts have now tested positive. However, these cases are linked to outbreaks in Quang Ninh and Hai Duong provinces, so the situation remains under control.
“Right now, Hanoi faces a critical moment. Without quick, decisive, and calm action to analyze and test F1 and F2 cases early, the virus could spread further. The testing burden on Hanoi CDC is huge if expanded to all travelers from affected regions as directed by the Ministry of Health. CDC is doing everything possible to increase capacity and ensure testing,” said Truong Quang Viet, Deputy Director in charge of Hanoi CDC.
At the meeting, Dr. Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Preventive Medicine Department and senior advisor to Vietnam’s Emergency Response Center for Public Health Events, praised Hanoi for its systematic approach to controlling the outbreak without underestimating or overreacting like some other areas.
“Widespread surveillance and detection are key to successful contact tracing and containment. We must accept living safely with the virus by strictly wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings. Public messaging encouraging people not to hold parties or year-end celebrations is very effective, as vague warnings are hard to enforce,” Dr. Phu said.
