The capital aims to minimize fatalities during the pandemic and prevent infections at hospitals and between medical workers and patients. The department has ordered an increase of screenings and quarantine at medical facilities, Deputy Director of the department Tran Thi Nhi Ha said.

She said the department has organized training courses for employees in different roles such as security staff, drivers, or orderlies about infection control, patient care, and using personal protective equipment. Hanoi has prepared the equipment and human resources are needed to combat the pandemic, she added.

In this scenario, 100 to 300 patients will be transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No. 2 in the outlying district of Dong Anh. Patients from 301, meanwhile, will be admitted to Bac Thang Long, Me Linh, Duc Giang, Thanh Nhan, Ha Dong, and Dong Da hospitals. Local medical facilities that violate regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control will be suspended or have their operation certificates revoked, Ha said.