Director of the Hanoi Health Department, Tran Thi Nhi Ha, speaks at a meeting on December 9
When being questioned about the recent complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic in Hanoi at a meeting with the Hanoi People's Council on Thursday morning, director of the municipal Health Department, Tran Thi Nhi Ha admitted the city had faced a surge in the number of Covid-19 infections since mid-October.
"The pandemic has spread to all 30 districts in the city with rising numbers of infections," she said. "It is forecasted that the infections may increase to 1,000 a day in the coming time."
Explaining the cause of this rise, the official said that many local people have ignored Covid-19 preventive rules after getting vaccinated.
The official also said that the situation is still under control and most of the new patients were only showing mild or no symptoms as 95 percent of the population have been fully vaccinated.
To better prepare for the complicated development of the pandemic, Ha shared that the city had planned for a scenario in which the city had 100,000 Covid-19 patients.
"At present, we have 1,000 intensive care beds and are preparing to add 1,000 more," she revealed. "We have also worked with the Department of Transport and they will participate in Covid-19 patient transport activities if needed.
Hanoi has confirmed 15,255 Covid-19 cases since the fourth outbreak started in late April. The city reported 709 new cases on December 8 which is the largest daily count reported in the area so far.
