Five more COVID-19 patients, who were being treated at the Da Nang Lung Hospital, were discharged on Tuesday morning, after their reports tested negative thrice.

The five persons are a 81 year- old woman, a 29 year- old man, a 4 year- old boy, a 25 year- old woman, and a 25 year- old man. All of them live in Da Nang.

Staff of the Da Nang Lung Hospital and the recovered patients (in white protective clothing) pose for a photograph before they leave the hospital on Tuesday morning. Photo: L.HUNG

All patients’ clinical status is appropriate for discharge, and assessed to have stable and recovering respiratory function.

All five people were given the all-clear following three negative tests for the virus, 24 hours apart, making a full recovery following their treatment. They are no longer contagious and pose no risk to the public.

The hospital used a  special vehicle to bring the recoveries home. After discharge, the recoveries will undergo a-14 day self- isolation at home under close monitoring of local authorities and health workers at their places of residence in line with the Ministry of Health’s regulations.

A 81 year- old woman is the oldest among the discharged patients, and she was a critically ill COVID-19 patient who was on ventilator support and underwent prolonged hemodialysis while she was being treated for coronavirus.

She was hospitalised with coronavirus on May 7 and did not show such symptoms as fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain at hospital admission. However, she experienced fatigue, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and decreased appetite on May 17. She was then transferred to the intensive care unit for further treatment after the worsening of prognosis for her.

On May 18, the patient had progressive shortness of breath, fast heart rate and poor lung. Her chest X-ray findings showed diffuse opacities in both lungs. On May 19, the patient required prolonged mechanical ventilation and maintenance dialysis. On May 22, the patient was weaned from mechanical ventilation. On May 24, she was awake and able to communicate with someone, and weaned off dialysis.

Doctor Le Thanh Phuc, Director of Da Nang Lung Hospital, said that since June 8 the patient has made a good recovery with no fever, and no difficulty breathing, and has been able to eat and drink.

"Tests on her came back negative for the virus four times on June 7, 9, 11 and 14, and she has made a full recovery from the illness and has been deemed suitable for discharge " Dr. Phuc added.

Reporting by LE HUNG – Translating by H.L