Workers collect garbage in the quarantine area. Photo: CTC Worried waste collection workers Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, garbage collectors are very concerned because the waste source has the potential to contain pathogens, especially in isolation and blockade areas. However, due to the nature of their work, environmental sanitation workers still have to perform this task. According to Mr. Tran Van Toan (environmental sanitation worker of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Company Limited): “The COVID-19 epidemic broke out, we felt very worried, the nature of our work had to continue. come in contact with a lot of waste and can’t tell which ones contain pathogens. However, we are fully equipped with protective equipment and strictly adhere to epidemic prevention and control, so we are somewhat reassured.” Agreeing, Ms. PTT (a garbage collector in Tan Phu district) shared: “With the current epidemic situation, many people don’t even dare to go out, let alone access the isolation and collection areas. garbage, because it’s really hard to know where there are infected people. However, sanitation workers like us, if they don’t do it, they won’t have a source of income to take care of their families. We hope that we will be given priority to vaccinate against COVID-19 to help alleviate some worries.” There is a risk of disease transmission from medical waste Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Company Limited (CITENCO) is the unit that collects and transports medical waste and waste at hospitals, isolation areas for treatment of COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City. and isolation areas, blockade areas established under the decision of the People’s Committees of districts in the city. According to experts, in isolated and isolated areas, the waste that is often at risk of infection is hazardous medical waste. For workers who collect, transport and process this type of waste, there is also a high risk of infection. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung, Chairman of the Vietnam Built Environment Association, commented: The collection, transportation and treatment of waste in isolation areas, field hospitals and COVID-19 patients’ blockade It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and regulations on environmental safety and hygiene. Sanitation workers who collect and transport this type of waste, if not properly protected, are likely to be infected with disease. “The waste in the isolation area, this field hospital is mixed with household waste and medical waste, including hazardous waste such as bandages, medicine, patient waste… Especially, viruses. can be transmitted in the air and remain on the surface of the object for a certain time,” Dung said. Also according to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung, environmental sanitation workers who collect, transport and process various types of waste are very susceptible to exposure. Therefore, they need to be equipped with safe and appropriate working tools, and should enjoy appropriate protection and remuneration. “In my opinion, first of all, they should be given priority to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent disease,” said Dr. Proposal to prioritize vaccination for garbage collectors According to a representative of CITENCO, currently all medical waste in hospitals, centers and polyclinics is collected and treated by the company according to the strict process of hazardous waste. During the outbreak of COVID-19, the company was directed by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City to be in charge of collecting domestic waste in the isolation area for patients infected with COVID-19. To ensure the safety of workers during the process of collecting, transporting and treating wastes that may contain COVID-19, CITENCO proposes to the City People’s Committee and the Department of Health to give priority to public officials and employees. The company is participating in the collection and transportation of waste vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. “The recommended vaccination cases include the staff directly managing and directing the company’s epidemic prevention and control; workers and drivers who directly collect, transport and treat wastes that may contain COVID-19, medical waste, domestic waste, and cremation; workers often come into contact with people,” said the representative. In Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tien, General Director of Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Limited Liability Company (URENCO), also said: The company has sent a written request to the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control. The Hanoi Department of Health considers and creates favorable conditions for the company’s officers and employees to be given priority to vaccinate against COVID-19. Hazardous waste is strictly handled According to CITENCO, the collection, transportation and treatment of medical waste are carried out by the company according to a very strict process, ensuring the safety of workers and preventing the spread of disease to the outside. The workers are equipped with protective gear that meets the standards of the medical industry. Accordingly, the waste is sealed in a special yellow container or bag, labeled with a warning of the risk of infection. Garbage before being collected to put on specialized transport vehicles (closed containers) is sprayed with disinfectant. Waste when transported to Dong Thanh waste treatment site (Hoc Mon district) continues to spray disinfectant again before being processed by high-temperature combustion technology. After burning, waste must be solidified and buried in a safe landfill dedicated to hazardous waste.

Park 11 building, Times City urban area is only blocked on the 15th floor. Specifically, setting up a medical isolation area on the 15th floor of Park 11, Park Hill subdivision of Times City urban area from 23:30 on May 23, 2021 to the end of 23:30 on June 6, 2021 (14 days); There is no longer a temporary blockade of the entire Park 11 building as before. The District People’s Committee assigned the People’s Committee of Mai Dong ward to develop a specific isolation plan, organize the implementation of medical isolation, treat medical waste, and ensure safety in accordance with current regulations. Implementing Decision No. 5055/QD-UBND of Hoang Mai District People’s Committee, Mai Dong Ward People’s Committee also issued Notice No. 274/UBND-TB on this content; At the same time, it is requested that the Ward Police, Ward Medical Station, Times City Urban Area Management Board, relevant stakeholders and residents on the 15th floor of Park 11 building seriously implement the decision of the District People’s Committee to ensure public safety. epidemic prevention and control. Previously, on the 15th floor of Park 11 building, 2 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Step 1: Visit https://www.bluezone.gov.vn or download directly at App Store or CH Play. Step 2: Once downloaded, the application will ask for permission to use Bluetooth to record contact with other Bluezone installed users. If Bluetooth is not open, drag the status bar and turn on Bluetooth; or go to Settings, select Bluetooth and turn it on. Step 3: Once the installation is done, click Scan Around. If someone near you under 2m has used Bluezone, the application will automatically identify these users and put them in the contact list.

Technical training on disinfecting spraying of vehicles carrying isolated subjects The forces participating in the training include the District Military Command, the District Police, the Health Department, the Health Center, and the District General Hospital. During the training session, groups and teams in the concentrated medical isolation framework were trained in theory and practice measures to prevent and control Covid-19 infection in the concentrated medical isolation area; the process of receiving, monitoring medical supervision, ensuring the health of isolated citizens; practical guidance on the use of protective equipment, medical equipment, disinfection and collection of medical waste, etc. All steps are strictly implemented by the Steering Committee, ensuring epidemic prevention requirements. The place selected by Quoc Oai district as a point of concentrated medical isolation for prevention is the old Quoc Oai high school. This school site has the capacity to accept up to 200 citizens. Currently, the Steering Committee for receiving citizens in medical isolation in Quoc Oai district has arranged and arranged some basic utensils and facilities… With quite complete facilities, from bedrooms, kitchens, toilets… to meet the needs of concentrated isolation of citizens. At the rehearsal, Chairman of Quoc Oai District People’s Committee Nguyen Truong Son – Head of the Steering Committee to receive citizens in medical isolation of the district went to check the facilities at this school. Chairman of the District People’s Committee Quoc Oai asked the District Construction Investment Project Management Board to urgently repair and renovate the facilities, add necessary equipment to ensure normal activities for the isolated subjects. . The District Military Command, in coordination with relevant branches such as Health, Public Security, etc., is responsible for receiving and organizing the comprehensive management of isolation areas. Building the process of shuttle, in and out; medical examination, supervision and monitoring for isolated subjects. Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quoc Oai district emphasized, it is very important to train the framework to receive citizens in medical isolation. Thereby, in order to unify the actions of the forces during the operation and performance of the task, contributing to the completion of the task of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic in the new situation in the district. Foster and improve qualifications, techniques and ability to handle situations of centralized medical reception and isolation.

Laboratory – Center for high-tech medical diagnosis Thien Nhan Danang has enough capacity to confirm positive for Sars-CoV-2. Today, April 26, Dr. Do Thai Hung, Director of Nha Trang Pasteur Institute signed Decision No. 905 / QD-IPN on recognition of the laboratory – Center for high-tech medical diagnosis Thien Nhan Da Nang. confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 virus positive cases. This laboratory is responsible for confirming cases of positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus in Da Nang, to confirm for other localities upon request and report test data according to regulations. . Earlier on April 24, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute conducted an inspection and assessment of the testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2 virus of Thien Nhan Laboratory – Thien Nhan, Thien Nhan High-tech Medical Diagnostic Center in Da Nang. . Thien Nhan Da Nang High-Tech Medical Diagnostic Center has built a molecular biology laboratory according to international association standards, ensuring accuracy and safety in the process of receiving and manipulating tests. Sample / Solution Transport … Nha Trang Pasteur Institute has verified and recognized all the operating documents / procedures, equipment management, initial waste treatment in medical waste treatment, general testing procedures. test; fully equipped with chemicals, biologicals and materials for the SARS-CoV-2 confirmation test. In particular, people who test positive cases for SARS-CoV-2 virus meet the prescribed requirements, are well trained in screening testing techniques trained by Nha Trang Pasteur Institute. According to Mr. Ngo Duc Hai, Director of Thien Nhan High-tech Medical Diagnostic Center, is the first private medical unit in Da Nang to be licensed by the Department of Health of Da Nang City to coordinate the City Disease Control Center. Da Nang (CDC) tested for SARS-CoV-2 from August 2020. Over the past time, Thien Nhan laboratory has tested SARS-CoV-2 for more than 8,000 people, actively serving the Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control of Da Nang city and central provinces. Especially during the peak epidemic in Da Nang 8-2020, to meet the needs of safety in production, travel, exit … in accordance with regulations on prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic. Thien Nhan hopes to contribute more to the proactively coping with the increasingly complicated Covid-19 epidemic in the world, serving the safety of production, travel, study and work of the people. local at home and abroad.

The scene of the training class.

Vice Chairman of Dong Da District People’s Committee Ha Anh Tuan said that the goal of the training course is that the domestic waste step by step is classified according to the criteria of 3R (3R = Reduce, recycle and recycle). use (Reuse)); disposing of trash on time, at the right place; continue to maintain 100% daily waste collection; proceed to no garbage on the street, promptly collect garbage generated at all times of the day.

At the same time, strengthen the county’s State management over medical and hazardous waste disposal; adheres to the provisions of Joint Circular 58/2015 / TTLT-BYT-BTNMT on medical waste management, issued by the Minister of Health – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and has performed well the tasks assigned by the City People’s Committee. approved in the project “Hazardous medical waste treatment in Hanoi to 2020, with an orientation to 2025”.

The Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Da district also said that the district strives for domestic waste: Sorting over 70% of domestic waste. Reduce the average amount of waste 1.08 kg of waste / person / day to less than 1 kg of waste / person / day (down 7-8%). Guaranteed to collect 100% of daily domestic waste. 100% of people dump their trash on time and at the right place. 50% reduction in the number of manual collection trucks that collect rubbish in the alleys to replace them with motorized ones. 100% of means of transportation and garbage collection are fully inspected, maintained, maintained, and cleaned regularly, to ensure technical requirements (tight, not leak water and garbage vapor).

As for medical and hazardous wastes: 100% of medical and hazardous wastes are collected, transported and handled in accordance with the technical process and standards. 100% of medical facilities under the management of the district invested in completing the medical waste and hazardous waste classification system to ensure the standards and technical requirements as prescribed. 100% of small businesses and production establishments have measures to treat hazardous wastes such as motor oil, detergent, heavy metals, wastewater …