Hanoi tightens supervision for timely detection of COVID-19 cases
The Disease Control Centre of Hanoi capital city on February 18 issued a document requiring healthcare centres in the city’s districts to intensify their supervision in order to timely detect any cases of novel coronavirus-caused acute respiratory disease (COVID-19).
A worker fumigates a classroom of the Dong Thai Primary School in Hanoi's Tay Ho district (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Disease Control Centre of Hanoi capital city on February 18 issueda document requiring healthcare centres in the city’s districts to intensify their supervision in order totimely detect any cases of novel coronavirus-caused acute respiratory disease (COVID-19).
According to statistics of the city’s Health Department, there were 74suspected cases of COVID-19 as of 18:00 on February 18. However, all those 74patients have by now tested negative for coronavirus.
In addition, a total of 409 persons are under quarantine in the city, with55 staying at the Hanoi Police Hospital.
Deputy Director of the municipal Health Department Hoang Duc Hanh hailedthe quarantine work at districts for suspected cases. He affirmed the city hasprepared sufficient equipment and personnel to conduct quick tests forCOVID-19.
The official highlighted the high risk of epidemic in the city, which isa major international transport hub with connections with many countries, includingChina and those with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Besides, the city borders VinhPhuc province which is home to a majority of COVID-19 cases in the country (11out of 16 confirmed cases so far).
Therefore, the city needs to keep up with drastic epidemic preventivemeasures, Hanh said.
So far, Vietnam hasconfirmed 16 cases of COVID-19 and not recorded any new patients since February13. Among them, 11 have been discharged from hospital.
The Hanoi TourismDepartment has reported an increase in the number of tourists visiting localdestinations as compared to the beginning of February.
It said the flow ofvisitors to tourist sites in the city has reached 50 – 70 percent of that innormal time before the outbreak of COVID-19. The recovery is attributable todrastic epidemic preventive measures taken by the Government and the municipalauthorities as well as the management of tourist destinations./.
Two more COVID-19 patients, both from the northern province of Vinh Phuc, were discharged from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi on February 18 morning after making a full recovery.
More than 80 cases in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa suspected of having the acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have tested negative for the virus, according to a local health official.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) to continue coordinating with the Government in raising the public’s awareness about their role in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 epidemic, ensuring health and safety for themselves and the community.
The Defence Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have issued a joint statement on defence cooperation against disease outbreaks.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
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An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
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The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
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The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.