Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has asked localities nationwide to devise scenarios for higher numbers of COVID-19 cases amid the fast spreading of Delta variant.

Speaking at an online conference to give guidelines to localities on measures to strengthen capacity in treatment and intensive caring for COVID-19 patients on August 2, Long underlined that the fourth wave of infections has developed complicatedly with wide coverage and high number of cases.

He asked localities to be more serious in implementing pandemic prevention and control, citing slow response to the pandemic in some provinces and cities.

Noting that the previous scenarios of pandemic-hit localities have fallen behind the reality, he underscored the need for them to accelerate COVID-19 treatment and testing to meet the demand of the reality.

Long said that the ministry has mapped out the "3-storey tower" model in COVID-19 treatment, in which COVID-19 patients are classified in different groups depending on their health conditions and treatment methods.
The transfer of patients to a suitable storey is significant in minimising deaths, he said, stressing the need of smooth coordination, transport and reception of patients.

He said that the ministry has asked all localities to mobilise the engagement of private medical establishments in the work.

Earlier on August 1, the minister had a working session with private hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, during which he lauded the activeness of private hospitals and clinics in COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Amid the worsening pandemic situation in the city, their readiness to receive COVID-19 patients has helped ease the overload for the city's healthcare system, he said.

Long encouraged them to officially register with the city's Department of Health to set aside beds for COVID-19 patients, thus helping save more patients.

Source: VNA