However, the epidemic situation remains complicated, especially given the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with its quick and wide spread having increased the number of new infected cases as well as daily deaths. This requires stronger and more drastic response measures in accordance with each specific location.

In the Official Dispatch No. 1099/CD-TTg dated August 22 on strengthening social distancing and measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister asked the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An as well as ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies and Governmental agencies to focus on organising strict and effective social distancing and other measures to prevent and control the pandemic.

The Prime Minister also requested the rapid implementation of large-scale testing to detect F0 cases while Ho Chi Minh City was asked to test all of its population during the social distancing period.

Notably, the number one priority emphasised by the dispatch is to persuade people to stay at their homes and isolate individual from individual, house from house, and commune from commune.

The dispatch also states the policy of people being at the centre of epidemic prevention and control. The participation and compliance with regulations by the people will play a decisive role in their success. The responsibility, duty and right of each citizen is to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community, according to the dispatch.

Thus, there has been a strategic adjustment in pandemic response. Communes, wards and towns will be the place to effectively implement all steps to manage the strict social distancing and blockade while ensuring social security and order, medical care for people infected with COVID-19, testing to quickly detect F0s, and separating the source of infection from the community.

The role of communes and wards is very important in implementing solutions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent days, many meetings have been held between the Government and localities to discuss measures to control the epidemic. Such meetings emphasised the necessity to bring medical services to the people in communes, wards and townships, so that people can access services quickly, anytime and anywhere.

In addition to strengthening medical capacity at commune level in terms of human resources and equipment, the preparation of ambulances and emergency centres in each district is also needed. Thus, three lines of treatment for COVID-19 patients will be formed in communes/wards, districts and cities, of which the upper level mainly takes care of severe cases.

Although there are only 312 communes and wards, Ho Chi Minh City is expected to establish about 400 mobile medical stations with the main task of managing and taking care of people infected with COVID-19 at home.

The Ministry of Health has provided guidance on classifying people infected with COVID-19 in communes/wards as well as how to manage infected people at home. This is also a way for communes/wards to have even more “weapons” to fight against the ongoing pandemic.