>>> COVID-19: 28 more cases confirmed over last 12 hours, all in locked down areas
In a dispatch issued on the evening of May 10, the health ministry also asked such facilities to review their treatment expertise, make a list and classify patients based on their conditions, and limit admission of patients not in emergency or with stable morbid conditions.
A "buffer zone" is suggested for examination and treatment of emergency patients while waiting for their SARS-CoV-2 testing results.
The ministry also urged to carry out SARS-CoV-2 tests immediately for all medical staff, patients and their family members, while at the same time taking periodic testing according to epidemic developments for early detection and prompt handling, and preparing enough manpower in case hospitals are isolated or blocked.
On the same day, leading experts nationwide gathered at a consultation session to discuss treatment for four critically ill COVID-19 patients cases being treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases base 2 (Patients no. 3,019, 3,153, 3,015, 3,028). They discussed and proposed suitable treatment for them in the following days.
The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment (Ministry of Health) has sent a written request to the Hanoi Department of Health to direct local hospitals Dong Anh and Duc Giang to prepare necessary manpower and equipment to receive inpatients transferred from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases base 2 in Kim Chung, Dong Anh District, while carrying out tests for SARS-CoV-2 for all patients and their family members before transferring.
Yesterday afternoon, Da Nang Hospital confirmed that a nurse from the hospital had anaphylaxis after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the morning of the same day. She has no history of allergy but immediately after vaccination, the nurse showed signs of anaphylactic shock with tinnitus and difficulty breathing. The hospital handled the case promptly. Currently, the medical staff has passed the critical stage and her health is temporarily stable.
On May 10, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment (the Ministry of Health) issued an official dispatch on the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine vaccination safety, requesting Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam National Hospital of Paediatrics, Central Lung Hospital, Hospital E and Hanoi Medical University Hospital to stand ready to receive and treat patients experiencing adverse reactions after vaccination against COVID-19.
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Politburo member cum Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung (standing) speaks at a meeting on COVID-19 response in the capital city on May 10. (Photo: NDO/Duy Linh)
In the face of the epidemic progressing complicatedly, localities across the country continue to strengthen active activities to control the spread. On the afternoon of May 10, Dinh Tien Dung, Politburo member cum Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee chaired an online meeting with local authorities on COVID-19 response.
Dung urged Hanoi’s authorities at all levels to well perform the work in the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting against an enemy", continue to focus on implementing well the upcoming elections, and well perform the tasks in socio-economic development, as well as maintaining stable social order and safety in all circumstances.
On the afternoon of May 10, a delegation from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the Vietnam Health Trade Union visited and gave support to medical workers at K Hospital that is in medical lockdown. The delegation awarded VND100 million, 10,000 medical masks and milk to medical staff in isolation at the hospital.
On the same day, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) awarded VND2 billion to support COVID-19 epidemic prevention at K Hospital. In addition, Agribank also donated funds to support epidemic prevention and control at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The two are among of the country's COVID-19 hotspots at present.
The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has sent a written request to local authorities, urging them to coordinate and create favourable conditions for the local Departments of Information and Communications and related units to survey and evaluate the current status of surveillance camera systems in isolated facilities to connect with a centralised surveillance system.
The northern province of Bac Ninh has decided to open two hospitals capable of treating up to 600 COVID-19 patients. With 300 beds each, the two hospitals are set to be established at the medical centres in the districts of Tien Du and Gia Binh. They will handle sample collections for COVID-19 testing, treatment, and quarantine to promptly curb the spread of the disease and minimise the number of fatalities.
Hai Duong City has suspended trading activities at the Tan Kim Market on Phan Dang Luu Street and Nguyen Quy Tan Street from 12pm on May 10 due to in relation to a COVID-19 infection who arrived at the market on May 6. A section on Nguyen Thi Due Street, Thanh Binh Ward, where the patient's shop is located, is also in medical isolation as of yesterday afternoon.
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A section on Nguyen Thi Due Street in Hai Duong City is under medical isolation due to a COVID-19 infection. (Photo: NDO/Nguyen Quoc Vinh)
From 0:00 on May 10, Thai Binh General Hospital was removed from the previous blockade order after more than 4,000 test samples of staff members, patients, and their family members showed negative results for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The hospital was placed under blockade after a COVID-19 case in relation to K Hospital in Tan Trieu, Hanoi, arrived there.
The chairperson of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee has requested localities and functional forces to continue to review and trace all the people coming and returning from the neighbouring Da Nang City from April 25 for classification and promptly detect those who have arrived at the infection areas in Da Nang as announced by the Ministry of Health. Regarding the upcoming national election, Secretary of the Party Committee of Thua Thien Hue Le Truong Luu suggested each locality ensure the safety against COVID-19 for the elections, while ensuring the elections are held as per the set plan, with strengthened mass media used for voters to reach candidates and increased online contact between candidates and voters.
The Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Quang Ngai Province has also issued a plan to ensure the healthcare and safety against COVID-19 for the elections.
On May 10, Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee cum Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Education and Communications, visited and encouraged frontline anti-epidemic forces in Tay Ninh Province, including Division 5 and Tay Ninh Border Guard Command.
The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam on May 10 proposed to suspend the organisation of driving tests held by the agency at Ngoc Ha Driving Test Centre and the driving test Centre at the People's Police Academy in Hanoi from May 10 until further notice.
On May 10, university and school students from more than 30 cities and provinces nationwide entered the second week of online study since their schools were shut on May 4 due to the serious ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. The northern provinces of Dien Bien and Bac Ninh, the central province of Quang Tri, and the southern city of Can Tho are the latest to announce school closures. Many localities plan to re-open schools from May 10 but various schools have extended closures due to the complex developments of the pandemic in the country.
