Since the first suspected case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported in Da Nang, medical workers across the city have joined in the fight against the deadly infectious disease.

Staff of the Hospital for Lung Diseases working very hard

On Tuesday noon, the Da Nang Emergency Centre 115 received a report from the Son Tra District authorities about 2 South Korean tourist arrivals from Daegu City, the center of South Korea's ballooning coronavirus outbreak, staying at a hotel located in the district.

Dr Pham Thi Anh Hong, Deputy Director of the Emergency Centre, quickly arrived at the hotel in an ambulance after receiving the report to take the two foreign guests to the Hospital for Lung Diseases to place on isolation precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

However, these South Korean nationals refused hospital isolation, and asked the local authorities to allow them to fly home from the Da Nang International Airport.

Therefore, the hospital’s leaders worked with the South Korean Consulate General in Da Nang to help these foreign guests to understand about the city’s implementation of isolation precautions in hospitals which are used for people from coronavirus-hit areas amid growing concerns over virus.

Medical workers of the Da Nang Emergency Centre 115 wearing protective clothing in 3 hours while they are on duty

Dr Hong said 26 ambulances are operating in 7 emergency stations across the city. In addition, 4 specialised vehicles are used to take suspected SARS-CoV-2 persons to local hospitals to place on isolation precautions.

“Doctors and nurses will have to wear protective clothing when they come in contact with suspected patients. They will have to take off protective clothing, face masks and gloves, take a shower, and put on clean clothes after leaving the isolation areas. Sometimes they conduct the procedures for putting on and removing personal protective equipment 10 times a day” Dr Hong remarked.

Meanwhile, ambulances must be disinfected before and after transporting suspected patients.

Dr Le Thanh Phuc, Director of the Hospital for Lung Diseases, hoped that the deadly disease would no longer pose a risk of infecting local residents and visitor arrivals to help them feel safe.   

Dr Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, leader of the hospital’s anti-SARS-CoV-2 team, said she and her co-workers faced some difficulties in putting suspected cases in quarantine, especially foreigners due to the language barriers.

All healthcare workers in the city are the front-line warriors against coronavirus. They are showing their willingness to join the fight against the virus in the hope of stopping the spread of this deadly virus into the city.

By PHAM NGUYEN - Translated by MAI DUNG