(Photo: baotintuc.vn)

Since August 23, thousands of army officers and soldiers have been deployed in HCM City. Deputy Defense Minister Vo Minh Luong said the army has helped enforce social distancing, deliver necessities to local people, and transport COVID-19 patients to health facilities for treatment. 

'Our priority is to enforce social distancing and ensure adequate supplies of food and medicines for the city’s 8 “red zones”, which encompass 5 million people. We will proactively approach the locals to help them rather than waiting for them to ask for help. Together with the Ministry of Public Security and the working team of the Prime Minister, we are determined to deal with all COVID-19 cases and create safe zones in the city,' said Luong.

The soldiers work closely with local agencies and administrations to pack, distribute, and deliver food to city dwellers, organize mobile vaccination for elderly people, treat COVID-19 patients at home, and assist emergency cases. Aid has been delivered to people staying in guest houses in small alleys. The military also organizes communications activities to inform people of current pandemic prevention and control measures. 

HCM city is currently Vietnam’s largest COVID-19 hotspot with more than 200,000 cases recorded since late April.