Thua Thien-Hue: COVID-19 patient No. 33 discharged from hospital

The 58-year-old British man was on Vietnam Airlines flight VN0054 with patient No. 17 landing at Noi Bai International Airport on March 3. After travelling through Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang and Hoi An, he was quarantined at his hotel in Hoi An City on March 7, before being confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 on March 10 and then later transferred to Hue Central Hospital in Phong Dien that night for isolated treatment.

According to Prof., Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, the patient showed no fever, no cough or difficulty in breathing during his treatment. He was treated for hypotension and monitored for survival indicators daily.

The patient is now healthy and has had two negative test results, which makes him eligible for discharge from the hospital, Hiep said, adding that the UK man would continue to undergo medical surveillance after discharge.

The hospital is currently treating three other patients, No. 30, 31 and 49, all of British nationality, and all are in stable health status, among whom patient No. 49 (patient No. 30’s husband) has shown his first negative test result since his treatment starting from March 7.

In addition, Hue Central Hospital is also offering isolated treatment for three patients who have also had negative SARS-CoV-2 test results, including a 64-years-old female of British nationality with complex underlying diseases. Currently, the health of all three cases is temporarily stable.

Vietnam has recorded 169 confirmed cases so far, with 21 patients who have recovered and been discharged.

The health sector in Bac Ninh Province have announced that 172 Korean experts from Samsung Display Vietnam Co., Ltd. who come to Vietnam from the Republic of Korea (RoK) have finished their 14-day medical isolation at a local hotel in Yen Phong District on March 27, after receiving their second negative test results for SARS-CoV-2. In addition to 172 Korean experts, four health workers, six police officers and 53 hotel attendants also tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

After the group of experts were moved to another place (on March 27), the entire hotel was disinfected to prepare to receive another 179 Korean experts coming from the RoK to work for Sam Sung Display Vietnam on March 28. After welcoming the experts at Van Don Airport (Quang Ninh Province), the authorities will make a full list of the experts and their travel routes in the RoK for 14 days before arriving Vietnam, while their SARS-CoV-2 test certificates have been issued by Kangbuk Samsung Hospital (in the RoK). They will be transferred to the hotel in Yen Phong for medical isolation. In the next four days, they will be tested for the first time. If the result is negative, on the 6th day of quarantine, the experts will be allowed to work at Sam Sung Display Vietnam in separate working areas that are completely isolated from others. After 14 days, they will be tested for SARS-CoV-2 a second time, and if the result is negative again, a certificate of finishing isolation in Vietnam will be issued for them.

On March 28, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) announced its reduction in the frequency of domestic flights between now and April 15, following the Prime Minister's directive in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

From March 28, VNA will reduce operation from 35 domestic routes to 8 with about 10% of the total seats compared to its usual plan. These remaining flight routes are being maintained at a minimum frequency to meet the urgent needs with the strictest disease prevention standards. VNA supports domestic passengers affected by COVID-19 to change flights and itineraries or refund tickets in accordance with the airline's current regulations.

Earlier, on March 19, VNA also announced to suspend the operation of international routes until the end of April 30. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the airlines has strictly implemented various epidemic prevention and control measures.

In the face of the complicated epidemic situation, the chairman of Hanoi People's Committee has requested the suspension of the city’s entire bus system operation from 0:00 on March 28 to April 15.

The Hanoi Transport and Services Corporation (Transerco) has announced that it will stop all 65 bus routes during the said period. On March 28, the Hanoi Department of Transport also requested bus stations, parking lots and related support service areas to strictly close and suspend their operation within the boundaries of their units.

For taxis and contracted cars, they may operate normally but are required to not use air conditioning, while wearing face masks is mandatory for drivers and passengers, as well as personal disinfection before and after picking up and dropping off.

On March 27, the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia issued an emergency announcement related to the first Vietnamese cases suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Russia, as well as offering recommendations to Vietnamese citizens in complying with the disease prevention and control measures by the host country amidst the complicated development of COVID-19 in Russia.

According to the embassy, on March 25, a Vietnamese couple in Moscow had high fever and were taken to the hospital. On the morning of March 27, due to their symptoms causing suspicion of COVID-19 infection, the local health agency went to their home to take samples from the remaining six family members. As of 6 pm on the same day, Russian health agencies have not announced the final test results on the duo yet, as they are being treated only for their lung disease and diabetes. Therefore, the Russian health authority only recommends that the remaining family members be isolated at home, while waiting for the hospital's test results to be finalised next week.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia recommended that Vietnamese citizens present in the country should regularly monitor and follow the instructions of the local authorities to prevent the epidemic, while continuing to seriously restrict travel and not gather crowded events. Those coming from Vietnam or from abroad to Russia, especially from the epidemic areas, should undergo self-isolation for 14 days. If communication with such people is required, Vietnamese people are suggested to wear medical masks and specialised health protection devices.