Thai Binh announces four recoveries from COVID-19

They are among 28 COVID-19 infection cases detected after returning from Russia on May 13.

Known as Patients 305, 309, 317 and 318, they all work in Russia. After entry, the four patients were quarantined at an isolation camp in Dong Quan Commune in Thai Binh’s Dong Hung District.

On May 14, the patients were transferred to the Provincial General Hospital for COVID-19 treatment. Their three latest tests were all negative for SARS-CoV-2. At the time of discharge, they were in good health without any cough, fever or difficulty breathing.

After being released, all four will continue to be put under further health monitoring in their home towns as they practice 14-day home isolation.

Up until now, Thai Binh General Hospital has given the all-clear to four COVID-19 patients. There are still three others undergoing treatment there, all in stable health. It is expected that the remaining three patients will be discharged in the next 2-3 days as they have also had negative test results once or more.

As of 3 pm on June 3, Vietnam had 302 recoveries from COVID-19 out of 328 confirmed cases, accounting for 92% of the total, with no deaths. There are currently only 26 patients undergoing treatment at medical facilities across the country.

Vietnam has continued its success against the epidemic as June 3 also marks the 48th consecutive day the nation has not recorded any new infections in the community.

Patient 19 back home after miraculous recovery

On the same day, Patient 19 – one of the most seriously ill patients that had to rely on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and had three cardiac arrests during her treatment – was allowed to return home to Ho Chi Minh City, after four months away from home and a brush with death during her three months of treatment.

Patient 19 excited to return home on June 3 after her incredible recovery from COVID-19.

The 64-year-old woman was infected with COVID-19 from her niece, known as Patient 17 – the first COVID-19 patient detected in Hanoi. The former was hospitalised to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi on March 6 with normal initial symptoms, but later her disease developed quickly, forcing her to fall into a critical condition and a coma. She had to undergo haemodialysis and rely on ECMO.

Patient 19 was the most severe case treated at the hospital so far. During her treatment, she went through three cardiac arrests and seemed likely not to make it. However, with the relentless efforts from the medical team, the patient incredibly escaped death.

On May 27, after intensive treatment for more than 80 days, she was declared as recovered, with multiple consecutive negative test results for SARS-CoV-2. She continued to stay at the Hanoi-based hospital for further monitoring of her cardiovascular disease. After seven more days in intensive care, the patient was well enough to go home in a completely healthy condition.

On her discharge this morning, she was able to walk by herself and talked happily with the doctors. She said she was excited to go home to reunite with her relatives after spending more than three months in the hospital. She planned to fly from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and her cardiovascular issue will be monitored at Cho Ray Hospital.

The successful treatment of Patient 19 has confirmed Vietnam’s determination to beat COVID-19, as well as affirming the capacity of Vietnamese doctors in treating severe COVID-19 cases.

More good news has come as another severe case – a British male pilot, known as Patient 91 – has showed signs of positive recovery. The Ministry of Health has announced that the British man has emerged from a coma and is smiling.

Patient 91's health has improved, but he still needs more time to recover.

Earlier, on May 29, the 43-year-old was able to receive nutritional spoons inserted by doctors. The patient could blink and move his lips and fingers, while crying in response to the encouragement from the medical staff.

Although he is still relying on ECMO, his improvement has allowed doctors to withdraw some of the ECMO parameters from June 1 towards its total withdrawal.

His lung damage on June 2 has improved a lot with more than half of the left lung recovered, while the right lung has also began to improve in terms of its respiratory function. Previously, on May 25, both sides of his lungs were almost completed solidified.

Patient 91 has so far undergone 77 days of treatment, including the COVID-19 treatment process at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases from March 18 to May 22, before being transferred to the Cho Ray Hospital on May 22 for intensive care, following an announcement that he was free from the coronavirus.

The British national will continue to receive antibiotics to treat his infection and to prevent possible new infections, as well as receiving intensive physical therapy to improve his muscle strength and respiratory functioning.