Responding to Covid-19, Ho Chi Minh City requires all people entering and leaving hospitals to wear masks

On May 21, Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health signed an urgent document to send to affiliated units on proactively implementing Covid-19 prevention and control in the area.

On May 20, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health held a meeting with the participation of leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Children's Hospital 1, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) and infectious disease experts to assess the current Covid-19 epidemic situation.

The Omicron XEC variant has been recorded worldwide since June 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently classifies XEC as a low-risk variant that needs to be monitored. However, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health is still proactively strengthening surveillance, ready to admit, provide emergency care, and effectively treat Covid-19 patients, especially severe cases.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health assigned HCDC to monitor and coordinate with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, and OUCRU to collect samples for testing to identify virus variants from outbreaks, severe cases, and monitor the spread. At the same time, it is necessary to continue implementing the sustainable epidemic control plan for the 2023-2025 period, especially focusing on protecting high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with underlying diseases.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health requires people to wear masks when entering hospitals. Illustration photo: Thach Thao.

HCDC guides medical facilities to properly implement professional procedures for Covid-19 prevention according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health . Strengthen communication at public places, tourist attractions, shopping centers, etc. to raise awareness of personal disease prevention such as wearing masks, washing hands, and going to medical facilities when having symptoms.

Hospitals need to strengthen communication and propaganda activities on disease prevention for all medical staff, patients, relatives, etc. at the hospital; focus on propaganda, mobilization, and monitoring people to implement measures to prevent and control Covid-19 epidemic at the hospital according to regulations. Strengthen supervision of compliance with hand hygiene and mask wearing for all people entering and leaving the hospital.

In case of receiving Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms, it is necessary to proactively consult and transfer to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases for continued treatment.

Speaking to VietNamNet , Associate Professor Do Van Dung - Head of the Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City , said that the Omicron XEC variant spreads faster than previous variants, and is the main cause of recent Covid-19 infections. However, he emphasized that this variant does not cause more severe symptoms, so people do not need to worry too much.

Regarding preventive measures, Associate Professor Dung recommends maintaining the habit of wearing masks, especially in crowded places. He assessed that this measure is not only effective in preventing Covid-19 but also helps prevent other respiratory diseases, and does not affect work or daily activities.

Currently, Covid-19 patients are not required to be quarantined as before, but those with symptoms such as fever and cough should limit contact, avoid going out or going to work to reduce the risk of infection. In particular, the elderly and people with underlying diseases need to be more careful, proactively monitor their health and follow medical instructions.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/ung-pho-voi-covid-19-tphcm-de-nghi-toan-bo-nguoi-ra-vao-benh-vien-deo-khau-trang-1018744.html