Da Nang will start a pilot programme for mildly ill Covid-19 patients to recover at home from December in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, as part of its gradual shift towards living with the disease.

People will qualify for the home isolation scheme if they have mild or no symptoms and can be isolated from the rest of the household.

Da Nang is ready to step up to treat COVID-19 patients at home, and healthcare workers at local level will play important role in the success of the city’s pilot scheme. IN THE PHOTO: A healthcare professional in An Hai Bac Ward in Son Tra District taking nasal swab sample of a primary close contact that is self- isolating at home for COVID-19 testing. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Mobile medical stations activated

In its efforts to prepare healthcare workers at ward, commune and district levels for caring COVID-19 patients in their homes, the health sector has provided specialized training for them. Under the city’s plan, 2 mobile medical stations have been set up in every ward and commune across the city. The mobile medical station will adopt COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the community, monitor and care COVID-19 patients in their homes, as well as help them seek a higher level of care in hospital if their symptoms deteriorate. Staff of mobile medical stations will take responsibility for caring COVID-19 patients who have mild or no symptoms in their homes in line with the guidance from the Ministry of Health in order to reduce the treatment burden for local hospitals. Only patients with severe disease or certain underlying medical conditions require hospital interventions, and they must be admitted to hospital to receive treatment for coronavirus.

Wards and communes are ready to put their mobile medical stations into operation. Mr Nguyen Van Thuyen, the Deputy Director of the Son Tra District Medical Center said that more than 70 healthcare workers have been trained to be able to provide mobile medical care for mildly ill Covid-19 patients at home.

Based on the current COVID-19 situation in Son Tra District, Tho Quang Ward that has recorded more new coronavirus infections in recent days has been selected to implement the city’s pilot scheme.

In Lien Chieu District, a combined total of 10 mobile medical stations have been set up, and each of them will take responsibility for monitoring and supporting 50 to 100 COVID-19 patients who are eligible for the home isolation scheme.

COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of COVID-19 and its potentially severe complications. IN PHOTO: A healthcare professional giving a COVID-19 vaccine to an eligible adult in mask at the Tien Son Sports Palace. Photo: D.Q

Such patients and their household members must meet certain stringent conditions

Dr. Tran Thanh Thuy, the Acting Director of the municipal Department of Health, said that such patients are required to stay in a separate room away from other people in their homes and ensure it is well-ventilated and ideally has a window they can open. In addition, they must comply with COVID-19 guidelines, especially the 5K recommendations of the Ministry of Health, during their home quarantine period.

The patients must stay at home at all times and not have contact with other people in their family and their pets. This will help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to other members of their household and community. Moreover, all household members will be placed on home quarantine for as long as the patient is isolated.

Mrs Thuy remarked that the patients will be placed under quarantine in designated sites and face hash penalties if they are found breaching the city’s home quarantine rules.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen emphasized that the home isolation scheme for patients who have mild or no symptoms aims to lower patient load in hospitals. In addition, the pilot program will help mildly ill COVID-19 patients to feel comfortable while in quarantine to recover at home. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe and critical illness will be provided with the best care possible from healthcare professionals to help them make a full recover from coronavirus in an attempt to lower COVID-19 death rates in Da Nang.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – translating by H.L