Health Ministry requests response plans as COVID-19 infections quadruple
VOV.VN - The Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned about a new COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam and requested that localities develop response scenarios amid the number of infections increasing considerably over recent times.
In an urgent telegram dated April 12, the MoH acknowledged that there has been a sharp rise in the number of fresh COVID-19 infections in the country in the first days of April.
From April 5 to April 11 Vietnam logged 639 new cases, or 90 new cases per day on average, representing an increase of 3.8 times compared to the previous seven days, the Ministry said in its telegram.
Notably, a total of 193 cases were recorded in the group of people aged 50 and above, accounting for 30.2% of the total figure. In addition, the number of severe cases also increased slightly, with one or two cases hospitalised per day on average.
The rise in COVID-19 infections comes as communicable diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease, dengue fever, and influenza are breaking out, putting pressure on the local health system and affecting the quality of medical examination and treatment, said the Ministry.
The MoH therefore asked localities to keep a close watch on the developments of the COVID-19 disease and draw up immediate response scenarios.
Localities should seek to increase surveillance at border gates, in hospital, and in the community to early detect new infections and the emergence of new variants to keep the virus at bay, said the Ministry.
It also requested that medical facilities prepare resources capable of receiving and treating infected patients, especially those in the high-risk group, while accelerating vaccinations.
The Ministry recommended disinfection in medical facilities, on public transport, and at public venues with large gatherings, especially during the upcoming five-day break.
It also advised people to wear masks and wash hands with soap or sanitizer.
Experts said the actual number of COVID-19 infections may outstrip the figure announced by the MoH because many people show symptoms but do not undergo testing, or if their self-test proves positive they treat themselves at home rather than go to any sort of medical facility.
They attributed the rise in infection numbers to decreased immunity among vaccinated people or infected people. Furthermore, weather conditions changing has made it easier for the virus to emerge and spread among the community.