Prime Minister calls to strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control against Omicron variant

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has just signed official dispatch 1745/CD-TTg dated December 19, 2021 of the Prime Minister on strengthening the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, controlling the new Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The dispatch stated that the COVID-19 pandemic in the world continues to have very unpredictable developments due to the Omicron variant. Currently, there is a fairly clear basis to evaluate the Omicron variant spreading much faster, while there is no basis to determine the lower virulence compared to the Delta variant. There have been studies showing that even after receiving 2 doses of vaccine, the risk of infection due to Omicron strain is still significantly higher than that of the Delta variant. Even in the case that the virulence of the Omicron variant is lower than that of the Delta strain, with the rapid spread of the disease, the medical system is still at risk of being overwhelmed, potentially leading to many deaths.

The Prime Minister asks for increased prevention of COVID-19 prevention.

In the country, although no cases of Omicron variant have been detected, the number of infected people, the number of serious patients, and the number of deaths is increasing and the health system in some localities is already overloaded.

Given the high possibility of the occurrence of the Omicron variant in Vietnam, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Health to closely monitor the pandemic situation in the world, and promptly direct, guide and report to the Prime Minister for directing necessary and appropriate measures.

All ministries, branches and centrally-run provincial and city People's Committees were asked to strengthen direction in pandemic prevention and control measures; especially the inspection and strict handling of organizations and individuals that violate regulations on disease prevention and control.

The Ministry of Health and the centrally-run provincial and city People's Committees are responsible to urgently direct and organize the implementation of vaccination safely and as quickly as possible, in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health ensures adequate supply of antiviral drugs to localities. The localities organize the distribution of medicine to all people infected with the virus who need to take it as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Health and the centrally-run provincial and city People's Committees were requested to direct, guide and train to strengthen the organization of home treatment.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Communications is in charge of completing information technology tools, closely coordinating with the ministries, branches and localities to deploy synchronous, effective and substantive application; and coordinating with the Party Central Committee Commission on Popularization and Education to strengthen dissemination of preventive measures to raise the spirit of vigilance, proactively prevent and control the pandemic in the whole society.