The Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control is urging the health sector to work closely with authorities at local level to focus on treating and managing COVID-19 patients at home and in hospital settings, along with vaccinating to all those who have yet to receive their COVID-19 jab in an attempt to tackle rising cases.

The city continues to administer COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 12 years old and older to help them lower the chance of getting COVID-19. IN THE PHOTO: The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is underway at the Tien Son Sports Arena. Photo: KIM LIEN

COVID-19 vaccine reduces severity

Data published by the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control shows that more than 2,000 people are being treated for coronavirus in Da Nang’s healthcare facilities, mainly at the Lung Hospital and the field hospital in the west of the city. In addition, 24 patients with mild illness are recovering under home quarantine with close monitoring and consultations of healthcare workers on a daily basis.

Dr. Le Duc Nhan, the Director of the Da Nang Hospital said, about 35% of Da Nang’s new COVID-19 patients have no symptoms, over 64% have mild symptoms, and less than 1% have moderate symptoms. The main reason is believed to be due to high vaccine coverage in the city. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections, and when breakthrough infections do occur, the level of infection and impact of the disease are significantly reduced.

Doctor Nhan remarked that COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against severe illness but do not entirely block transmission.

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing infection, serious illness, and death. Most people who get COVID-19 are unvaccinated. However, since vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing infection, some people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19.

Doctor Nhan stated that over 47% of Da Nang’s new cases have been confirmed in fully vaccinated people, thereby urging every one across the city to follow the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, especially wearing masks at all times when leave home, in order to protect themselves and others from the deadly disease.

Doctor Tran Thanh Thuy, the Acting Director of the municipal Department of Health said that the focus has been on training healthcare workers to provide best care and consultations for COVID-19 patients to recover under home quarantine. In addition, the heed is paid to providing guidance for such patients to make a full recover from coronavirus with active assistance from healthcare workers.

Mrs Thuy warned against self-medication and arbitrary use of drugs to treat COVID-19, and she advised people to use medications in the right way as prescribed by their doctor to make a full recovery from coronavirus.

Health workers conduct preliminary health checks for fever, blood pressure before administering the vaccine to senior citizens in Ngu Hanh Son District. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues in the city

According to the municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health services across Da Nang have now administered a total of 1,889,201 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 966,830 people with first doses, 921,904 people with both doses, 467 people with third doses, ensuring they have the strongest possible protection against COVID-19 from a second dose.

97.5% of Da Nang’s population aged 18 have now received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and 77.3% of children aged 12 to under 18 years have been fully vaccinated.

The health agency has deployed two mobile vaccine clinics to deliver coronavirus vaccines directly to the community, to those seniors who need to get this vaccine but they find it challenging to visit a vaccination site.

Doctor Ton That Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang CDC, is encouraging people aged 12 and older who have yet to receive their booster jabs to register for vaccination from December 17 to 23 on Da Nang public services portal or at local authority offices, or Da Nang CDC office.

Doctor Truong Van Trinh, the Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health, said that the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for those who have yet to be jabbed will be implemented within December.

All vaccination locations will do temperature checks on people before entry, allowing space for social distancing and a 30-minute recovery time. Strictest health and safety measures, especially the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, will be put in place at these venues.

Protocols have been established for the management of adverse reactions following immunization. Healthcare workers are prepared to recognize and treat allergic reactions. In addition, specific instructions will be given to COVID-19 vaccine recipients to monitor their health at home after vaccination.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L