The Ministry of Health recently held an online meeting with 700 hospitals nationwide to introduce novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection prevention and control guidance to them.

Suspected patients are kept in quarantine at the Lung Hospital

In Da Nang, the meeting saw the participation of leaders of 18 district-level medical centres, and public and privates hospitals, across the city.

In his remarks at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said isolation was an effective measure to prevent any possible outbreak from occurring in Viet Nam amid the growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

He added Viet Nam has strictly implemented isolation measures. In particular, suspected patients are kept in quarantine at medical facilities. Vietnamese citizens and foreigners, who have recently visited or passed through China’s Hubei Province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, are isolated at special sites which are arranged by local authorities. Those, who have visited or passed through 31 provinces of China, arrive in Viet Nam or return home to be isolated at their homes for monitoring their health.

During the event, the 700 hospitals were introduced to ways to accurately detect the nCoV-caused acute respiratory disease, and to treat respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and sepsis shock in affected patients. The hospitals were guided the ways to collect samples, and to ensure biosecurity during the process.

At the meeting, some medical experts said that the incubation period for 2019-nCoV is roughly 2-12 days. The coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Currently, there was no vaccine for the new virus. Therefore, importance is attached to treating the symptoms with medications, and improving the physical health of infected patients.

Medical experts advised the public to avoid contact with those displaying signs of flu, as well as keep their hands away from their nose and mouth, and wash their hands regularly. The public are advised to ensure good nutrition to increase resistance against infection, wear surgical masks at any time when leaving home, and avoid public places.

By PHAN CHUNG - Translated by MAI DUNG