Covid-19 patients treated in Hai Duong. Photo: Ministry of Health

Vietnam has entered the third Covid-19 wave since January 27. Up to 811Covid-19 patients have been recorded in 13 provinces and cities out of a total of 2,403 cases since the beginning of 2020.

Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Health Ministry, said in the new wave of epidemic, 83% of Covid-19 patients had mild symptoms, which are difficult to detect at medical facilities.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines for care of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 at medical examination and treatment facilities.

The data show that Covid-19 patients have a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infections to severe clinical manifestations.

According to the latest guidance of the Ministry of Health, the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 is 2-14 days, 5-7 days on average.

Common onset symptoms are fever, dry cough, fatigue and muscle aches. Some patients have sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, headache, productive cough, vomiting and diarrhea.

Only 14% of patients with severe developments such as pneumonia or severe pneumonia need specialized treatment at health facilities.

About 5% need treatment in intensive care units with acute respiratory symptoms (rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, cyanosis...), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, organ failure including kidney damage and myocardial damage, leading to death, especially in the elderly and those who have a chronic illness or suffer from immunodeficiency.

According to the Ministry of Health’s regulations, Covid-19 patients are eligible to declare recovery when their fever has been gone for at least 3 days and they have had 3 consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart from each other.

In Vietnam, the number of child patients with Covid-19 is low. Most infected children have milder clinical manifestations than adults, or have no symptoms. Common signs in children are fever and cough, or symptoms of pneumonia.

By February 25, there were 604 Covid-19 patients under treatment, including two very serious cases who need EMO intervention.

Patient 1536, who is a 79-year-old woman returning from the US, is the most serious Covid-19 case in Vietnam, even worse than former patient 91, a British pilot. The woman is staying at the Da Nang Lung and Respiratory Diseases Hospital. She has a medical history of diabetes and high blood pressure. The Ministry of Health has held six national consultations on her case.

Another case in critical condition is patient 1823, a 65-year-old man from Hanoi’s Me Linh District. He has been treated at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases since February 2. ECMO machine is being used. He tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time.

Thuy Hanh

Individuals found making false statements, hindering fight against Covid-19

An official in Hai Duong, a female teacher in Hai Phong, and other individuals have evaded medical declarations or given false information, violating the regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control.