Of which, Tien Giang recorded an increase of 2.5 times in infections (average 400-700 cases a day), An Giang increased 1.7 times, Kien Giang increased more than 2 times.

This information was stated in an online meeting between Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen and leaders of 12 provinces in the Southwest including: Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Can Tho, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Hau Giang,

Leaders of Kien Giang province admitted that `the source of infection in the area has not been well controlled`.

The Ministry of Health’s working group in the three provinces of Kien Giang, Hau Giang and Can Tho said that `Kien Giang is carrying out widespread testing, so the number of infected cases is increasing.`

Assessing that the frequency of combined PCR testing as above cannot keep up with the spread rate of the Delta variant, the Working Group recommends that Rach Gia conduct an additional `buffer` of rapid antigen testing between two PCR testing cycles.

Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen chaired an online conference with the Southwest provinces on the afternoon of August 25.

Deputy Minister Tuyen assessed that after a week of implementing 6 epidemic control measures, the Southwest region has implemented `relatively well the screening testing plan to separate F0 from the community`.

`The increase in the number of F0 was within expectations, a testament to very thorough, very fast screening,` said the Deputy Minister.

F0 in the community accounts for a large proportion (in some provinces up to 90%), proving that the community still has a potential source of infection.

From the reality of Rach Gia, Deputy Minister Tuyen suggested that localities that are organizing PCR testing every 7 days need to add rapid testing of pooled samples in the period between two cycles.

Responding to the possibility of the number of infections still increasing, Mr. Tuyen asked the provinces to prepare an F1 quarantine plan at home and a plan to set up field hospitals staffed by the military.

The 12 Southwest provinces set a goal of controlling the epidemic before August 25.

Le Nga