Domestic waste in areas where people infected or suspected of being infected with COVID-19 are wastes with a risk of infection and should be collected and treated as hazardous medical waste.
Recently, the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic and complicated developments, Ho Chi Minh City generated many isolation areas, temporary blockade areas in residential areas. Therefore, the collection and treatment of waste in areas where people are infected or suspected of being infected with COVID-19 cannot be considered as ordinary household waste, but as waste that is at risk of infection and should be collected. disposed of as hazardous medical waste.
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.
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