70. Coronavirus Update – Escalating Situation/Home Preparations, etc.

Inspired by Cathy Berger Kaye

‘Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.’

Thomas Alva Edison

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As a result of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Vietnam, I’d like to remind you how quickly the situation can change. The extraordinary precautionary measures of the Vietnamese government is what has kept us safe and healthy thus far, and we greatly appreciate that.

In sending this email to you, I’m taking several things into consideration. Since yesterday, the number of confirmed cases reported has risen from 2 to over 100. We’ve been told that flights out of Hanoi are full – indicating a movement of people from the north. Likely, many are coming to HCMC. Concern about an escalation of the situation in HCMC is evident in the government’s preparations.

Today, the Department of Education and Training (DOET) issued directive 299/SGDDT-CTTT. In the new directive, the DOET instructs all schools in Ho Chi Minh City to review and tighten the implementation of epidemic measures and limit crowds. Therefore, we are canceling or adjusting gatherings and group activities until further notice. The whole school Tet Assembly will be virtual. Your divisional principal will communicate any additional impacts on your divisional plans for next week.

Since the start of COVID, Vietnam has taken action for the collective good, even when it has been inconvenient for the individual. However, during the lockdown last Spring, we still enjoyed more freedoms than many others around the world. Deliveries were still made, and we could make essential excursions, such as doctor’s visits and dog walking.

Given the rapid developments in the north and knowing the Vietnamese government’s vigilance, we would all be wise to prepare ourselves for the possibility of a lockdown. Below, you will find three helpful lists: recommended household items for home quarantine or lockdown, what to do if you exhibit symptoms, and the contact-tracing classifications from the Vietnamese government.

Lastly, I would like to remind you of our SSIS travel guidelines. As always, if you leave the city limits of Ho Chi Minh City at any time, you MUST submit an SSIS Travel Questionnaire.

Please take good care. And, do not hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns, or recommendations.

All good wishes,

Catriona

Preparing for Home Quarantine or Lockdown 

While we cannot control everything around us, we can control our level of preparedness. If we are home-quarantined or if our buildings/areas are locked down at any time, here are things that we each can do to be prepared. These guidelines worked well for us last year.

How to Prepare for Home Quarantine

Walk yourself through your daily and weekly routines, thinking about what you need to live comfortably in your home for 14 days, without going out and without anyone coming in*. Here are some suggestions.

• Canned food
• Frozen vegetables
• Pasta, rice, bread
• Medications for fever, cough, nasal congestion, asthma (enough of your usual puffer)
• Personal hygiene products
• Soap
• Cleaning supplies (trash bags, paper towels, laundry detergent)
• Tissues
• Pet supplies (food, cat litter, etc)
• Yoga mat or exercise equipment

*Previously, when a building was on lockdown, the delivery of goods was still possible.

Definitions Quarantine vs. Isolation

The following definitions are from WHO Interim guidance “Considerations for quarantine of individuals in the context of containment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)”

Quarantine is the restriction of activities or separation of persons who are not ill, but who may be exposed to an infectious agent or disease, with the objective of monitoring symptoms and early detection of cases.

Isolation is the separation of ill or infected persons from others to prevent the spread of infection or contamination.

What to Do If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms

First, call International SOS via your SOS Assistance App (or phone +84-28-3829-8520) or via the Vietnamese hotline (1900 3228). They will tell you which medical facility to go to for testing. Also, make sure to tell someone at SSIS (e.g., Lisa (0938237080), Catriona (0903847113), or WaiMun (096893988) so that we can be sure to support you in any way we can.

The doctor at the medical facility will ask you a series of questions and will decide if you need to be tested. All doctors/clinics in District 7 can now take test swabs. The swab is sent to the testing facility at Pasteur Institute. If you are tested, you will probably be held at the clinic for 6-8 hours until the results are available. If your result is positive, the doctor will notify the Ministry of Health and you will be taken to a hospital for isolation.

Vietnam classification system of contacts

If your test is positive for COVID-19, you are considered to be F0 according to the Vietnamese classification of contagion. To understand the contact-tracing classifications in Vietnam, please see this document for a detailed explanation.