To reduce risks of COVID-19 infection, Saigon announced yesterday that the city would test all residents who returned from Da Nang recently.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee announced in an urgent document on Sunday that those living in the city who visited Da Nang from July 1 until now must fill out health declaration forms and undergo COVID-19 testing, reports Tuoi Tre.

Over the past four days, Da Nang has discovered many new cases of COVID-19 within the community without any apparent infection source. Some patients were symptomatic as early as the beginning of the month, prompting health authorities to expand their scope of contact tracing.

According to instructions by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), if one’s been to Da Nang in the listed period and is exhibiting respiratory symptoms, they must wear a face mask and visit the nearest district medical center to get tested for COVID-19 and complete a health declaration. Patients are discouraged from using public transport.

Second, if one has been in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Da Nang or been to one of the three hospitals where new cases were reported — including the Da Nang General Hospital, Da Nang C Hospital, and Da Nang Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital — contact the HCDC for instructions on how and when to get tested.

Those who were in Da Nang but are not part of the two groups above are to self-quarantine and contact local health authorities to arrange the time and place for their COVID-19 tests.

Individuals who have been in Saigon for over 14 days since their Da Nang visit are still required to self-quarantine at home until they test negative for the novel coronavirus.

Visit the HCDC website or official Facebook page for more information. A list of contact details for Saigon’s district medical centers is available here.

[Photo by Nguyễn Tú via Thanh Nien]