Hoi An, a famed ancient city just 20KM away from Da Nang, has recently reported several COVID-19 community cases and is currently under semi-lockdown. 2 neighborhoods where over 2,000 people reside, and many other individual households elsewhere in the town have been quarantined to date.
To support local residents, Hoi An authorities have used municipal funds as well as donations to buy groceries and basic necessities to help these quarantined households out.
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
On 4th August, trucks loaded with groceries & necessities were dispatched to every household in Hoi An’s quarantined neighborhoods.
Thinh My and An Hoi – Dong Hiep are 2 residential neighborhoods that are currently quarantined. There are plenty of other individual households in Hoi An that are also under quarantine. The total number of quarantined residents in the city has passed the 2,000 mark.
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
To give quarantined residents a helping hand, Hoi An authorities have used money from municipal funds, together with donations from local residents, to buy them groceries such as meat, fishes, vegetables, salt, and other necessities.
Hot meals are also cooked and delivered to every household. Each person can enjoy 3 meals per day that are worth VND80,000 (~USD3.45) each.
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
The commodities were sent on trucks to a pickup point, divided by volunteers, and carried to each household. The supplies will be delivered to every household on a daily basis during their 14-day quarantine period.
The entrances to Hoi An ancient town are fenced off
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
A medical staff member clad in a soaking wet shirt, taking a rest
Image credit: VTC.vn
With a daily hike in the number of infected cases as well as people who need to be tested for COVID-19, nearby Da Nang hospitals are buckling up to cope with the shortage of medical staff.
An exhausted medical staffer resting under the watch of his colleagues
Image credit: VTC.vn
As a result, medical frontliners are working overtime to tackle the overwhelming need for patient care. Many even collapse while on duty due to overwork and heat exhaustion.
Image credit: VTC.vn
“Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for long hours causes many medical staff members to suffer from dehydration and heat stroke,” said Ms Pham Thi Anh Hong, Vice President of Hospital 115 Da Nang.
Image credit: VTC.vn
To lend a helping hand, Hai Phong, Binh Dinh, Hanoi, and Saigon have sent teams of doctors and medical supplies to Da Nang.
Image adapted from: VTC.vn
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone’s lives, physically and economically. However, difficulties can’t stop Vietnamese people from coming together to help others on all fronts, from giving out free groceries to pumping manpower to high-risk areas.
Even we, ordinary citizens, can pull our weight in this battle by staying safe. In addition to the usual recommendations of wearing masks and sanitizing our hands, we can refrain from gathering in groups and keep maintaining a safe distance from others when in public places.
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Cover image adapted from: VTC.vn and Tuoi Tre
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