Acute pneumonia caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, called COVID-19 disease, was first detected in Wuhan City (China) in late December, and is spreading rapidly throughout the world.
According to a report of the Ministry of Health, by 21:00 on 16.03.2020, 158 countries and territories have recorded cases of COVID-19. Total cases: 173,955, including 6,686 deaths, more than 77,000 have recovered. The countries with the highest number of morbidity and mortality outside of China are Italy, Spain, Iran, South Korea … We are witnessing a disease that can spread very quickly throughout the world, all over the world. continent, including very developed countries like Italy, Germany, France, England, the United States … On 11.03.2020, the World Health Organization had to declare COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
In Vietnam, 61 cases of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected, including 18 foreigners and 42 Vietnamese people. The main sources of infection are from China (16 cases), Europe (26 cases) and the United States (10 cases) …
* SOURCE OF DISEASES
The source of the disease is now very diverse, no longer from China or Korea, but mainly from people returning from Europe or possibly from any country where there is an epidemic. The source of the disease may also come from close contacts of infected people, as is the case in Binh Thuan.
The areas most at risk of virus infection today are airports, bus stations, tourist destinations with many foreign visitors … In addition, traveling on the same flight or with the same car with infected people is also at risk. highly sick.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health has recommended that people should not go to crowded places if it is absolutely not necessary. The Ministry of Education and Training and the People’s Committees of many localities have continued to suspend students until the end of March. From 15.03.2020, many localities have suspended activities for monuments. Attractions, tourist attractions …
* GROUPS OF HIGH RISK
Most cases of people with COVID-19 have relatively mild clinical manifestations such as fever, fatigue, dry cough … However, about 20% have more severe symptoms such as pneumonia. Some of these may have respiratory failure, there is a risk of death if not detected and treated promptly. Studies of serious illness and death in countries show that the majority of this group are elderly (over 70) or have preexisting chronic conditions such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). , cardiovascular disease (hypertension …), diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency …
Therefore, a very important part of the current prevention strategy is the provision for the above-mentioned vulnerable groups. Particular attention should be paid to the group of pregnant women, children, …
* CASE THAT IS REQUIRED ISOLATED
According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, all people who have confirmed positive test results (called F0 group) must be isolated at health facilities, monitored for 14 days and indicated from the quarantine establishment after having negative test result 2 times.
People who have had close contact with an infected person (group F1) will also be isolated and tested immediately due to the high risk of viral infection. People who are exposed to this group (F2 group) are also advised to isolate themselves at home, avoiding contact with others to prevent the risk of infection to the community.
Isolation or self-isolation is extremely important to avoid spreading the disease to relatives, co-workers and the community. Lessons from Italy and some other countries show how dangerous it is if not first isolated cases are infected.
The Ministry of Health has dispatched a very clear guidance on the cases of isolation, time, place of isolation, conditions of isolation …
People who are at risk of infection or have close contact with infected people should not hide information because it is very dangerous for themselves, their families and people as well as for the community. Even so, it is a violation of the Law on Prevention of Infectious Diseases and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
* CONCLUSION
With the current global epidemic growing, it is likely that more SARS-CoV-2 infections will occur in the near future. However, what has been happening now shows that the Government and the health sector of Vietnam as well as all related sectors have performed quite well in disease prevention.
The Ministry of Health continues to recommend strengthening communication on all means of preventive measures for individuals and the community (using masks, washing hands regularly …).
People need to regularly update information about the disease situation in the locality, follow recommendations to prevent the disease, do not go to crowded places if it is not really necessary and especially not be overly alarmed. We hope to reverse the epidemic and overcome this difficult period.
Assoc.Prof. TRAN XUAN CHUONG
Vice President of Vietnam Infectious Association
President of the Association of Infectious Diseases – HIV / AIDS –
Thua Thien Hue Association of Science and Technology Associations
* REFERENCES
1 . Decision 125 / QD-BYT dated January 16, 2020 on the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Pneumonia caused by the new Corona virus (nCoV) and 181 / QD-BYT dated January 21, 2020 of the Ministry of Health on the Interim Guidance on surveillance and prevention of acute respiratory infections caused by new strains of Corona virus (nCoV).
2 . Decision 878 / QD-BYT and 879 / QD-BYT dated 12 March 202020 issuing guidelines for medical isolation in concentrated and isolated isolation facilities at home, places of residence, and prevention and control of COVID epidemic -19.
3. Ministry of Health, COVID-19 acute respiratory tract disease information page;
https://ncov.moh.gov.vn/?fbclid=IwAR1g-7bkfDFhtXs1mioE1kXWqSUCkrCwJKi62qkP8IF1V1zIruCnO_UNO0w
4 . CDC United States: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus 2019-ncov/ index.html
5 . WHO.int. link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
