The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has recently been grappling with the complicated developments of the diphtheria outbreak and new COVID-19 cases, forcing the medical sector to redouble effort to contain the epidemics.

With 30 diphtheria cases, Dak Lak has the second highest number of diphtheria
infections in the Central Highlands after Dak Nong (32). 

According to Dak Lak authorities, the province had recorded three COVID-19 cases by August 6. It has scrambled to track down those having contact with the patients and those returning from Da Nang, a coronavirus hotspot, as well as other epidemic-hit areas.

The province has quarantined 92 suspected cases at the provincial Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Hospital, and 325 people returning from epidemic-hit areas at concentrated facilities, alongside nearly 10,000 people self-quarantined at home.

Meanwhile, Dak Lak has been struggling to stamp out the diphtheria epidemic in the community. A total of 30 positive cases of diphtheria have been reported in the province, with the number of infected cases in Krong Bong commune alone climbing 12.

Subsequent epidemics have placed an increased burden on the local medical sector, forcing it to even mobilise lecturers and students of medical schools in the locality to prevent the viruses spreading on a large scale.

Vaccination against diphtheria is considered an urgent task now, said Nay Phi La, Director of the Dak Lak Department of Health, adding local residents have been required to maintain social distancing measures to fight the COVID-19 epidemic.