Vietnam records no new community COVID-19 infections for 35 consecutive days

Vietnam has entered its 35th straight day without recording any new COVID-19 infection cases in the community, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

A mission from the Ministry of Health inspect COVID-19 treatment at Thai Binh Province General Hospital.
A mission from the Ministry of Health inspect COVID-19 treatment at Thai Binh Province General Hospital.

>>> No new COVID-19 case to report on 34th consecutive day

As of Thursday morning (May 21), the total infection count in the country remained at 324, including 184 imported cases that were quarantined upon their arrival.

To date, 264 patients have been declared as recovered, accounting for 82% of the total, while the remaining 60 are receiving treatment at nine hospitals across the country. Among them, three active patients have tested negative at least once for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while five others have tested negative twice or more.

According to the Subcommittee on Treatment under the National Steering Committee, two patients that have provided two or more negative test results are expected to be released from hospital this morning.

Meanwhile, nearly 13,000 people are still under quarantine in Vietnam, including 307 in hospitals, over 7,600 in state-designated facilities, and the rest are in isolation at home.

Regarding the health of the only critical ill patient who is currently undergoing treatment at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, the 43-year-old British man has no fever at present, with stable pulse and blood pressure as well as improved lung function.

Known as Patient No. 91, the pilot is breathing with the aid of a ventilator and is also being treated with antibiotics.

However, he had five consecutive negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 since May 7. The confirmed tests from the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City showed similar results on the patient’s samples.

The patient has been undergoing treatment for over two months and has entered the 45th day relying on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for his life.

As his lungs are severely damaged by COVID-19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has decided to carry out a lung transplant as the optimal treatment for him. The patient will be transferred Cho Ray Hospital in the city for intensive care awaiting the transplant.

Regarding the cost for the lung transplant and treatment for the patient, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, the head of the MOH’s Medical Services Administration Department cum deputy head of the Treatment Subcommittee, revealed that many donors are willing to cover the cost.

Experts has decided that the transplant would only be performed when the requirements on his health and the related conditions are met.