Monday, July 27, 2020

COVID: HK New Daily Record, Vietnam Evacuates 80K From Da Nang



 #15,386

Today Hong Kong's CHP posted 145 additional COVID-19 cases - another new 24 hour record - while their government announced even greater social distancing restrictions in hopes of curbing this 3rd wave of infections. 

Considering their proximity to Mainland China, and the early arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the SAR, Hong Kong has done a remarkable job keeping COVID-19 at bay.

Less than 3 weeks ago this city of 7 million had seen fewer than 1470 cases - with more than half of those imported - and only 7 deaths. Since then, the number of cases has nearly doubled, hospitalized cases have jumped 6-fold, and deaths have nearly tripled. 

Over the past couple of weeks Hong Kong has shuttered schools again, banned indoor dining in restaurants, closed some non-essential government offices, and banned public gatherings of more than 4 people. 

Today's South China Morning Post reports that the government has doubled down on these restrictions, in hopes of reversing their current trend.  

  • The new restrictions, which include compulsory mask-wearing outside, will take effect on Wednesday and last for at least one week
  • The measures come as the city records two more coronavirus deaths, a 76-year-old woman and a 92-year-old man

Meanwhile in Vietnam, which until two days ago had gone more than 3 months without reporting a locally acquired case, authorities have announced their intention to evacuate 80,000 (apparently domestic) tourists from the resort city of Da Nang after three people there tested positive for the virus (see Reuters Report below).
Vietnam to evacuate 80,000 people from Danang after virus outbreak
Those who are evacuated will be required to go into home quarantine for 14 days. Meanwhile, local residents have been ordered to observe heightened social distancing and to wear masks.

Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-27 18:16:49| Editor: huaxia

HANOI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed to implement a social distancing order in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang starting from Tuesday following three new community COVID-19 cases reported in the city in the past weekend, before which Vietnam has seen no new community cases in over three months, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday.

The decision was made at a government meeting on combating COVID-19 held on Monday morning.

Social distancing measures in Da Nang will include wearing face masks in public places and on public transport, and temporarily halting the operation of non-essential businesses and passenger transport activities, the news agency reported.

People traveling to Vietnam's capital city Hanoi, southern Ho Chi Minh City and other localities from Da Nang will be tested and quarantined if necessary, according to the report.

The prime minister also ordered the Ministry of Health to strengthen resources to support Da Nang in testing and treatment, said the news agency.

Vietnam has confirmed four COVID-19 cases in the community in Da Nang and its central Quang Ngai province as of Monday morning, according to the health ministry. Enditem

Meanwhile local directives are flowing out of their Ministry of Health's website at breakneck speed. Today 4 advisories have been issued:

 
 




The countries that have managed to keep COVID-19 under control are those who are not only proactive in their measures, but those that react swiftly at the first hint of local transmission.  SARS-CoV-2 has proved repeatedly it needs little more than a tiny lapse in vigilance in order to thrive. 

Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and to a lesser extent Japan have all shown that - while it isn't easy - it is possible to keep community transmission low, and to limit the number of deaths.  

But as long as the virus spreads uncontrolled anywhere in the world, no country - no matter how successful they've been in containing the virus - can afford to let down their guard.

Posted by at