11:08, 23/08/2022

Vigilance urged against Covid-19 amid emergence of new subvariants

After nearly 1 month from the emergence of BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, Covid-19 cases are rising again in Vietnam, in general and Khanh Hoa Province, in particular...

After nearly 1 month from the emergence of BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, Covid-19 cases are rising again in Vietnam, in general and Khanh Hoa Province, in particular.

New cases rising

According to Acting Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan at  the 16th session on August 6 with the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Vietnam recorded over 9 million Covid-19 cases with over 8.5 million recovered and nearly 11,000 deaths in the first 7 months. The cases have risen recently with 33,000 confirmed and 6 dead in July alone. 2,000 infections were recorded on average in early August.

Covid-19 cases are also on the increase in Khanh Hoa Province from 1- 2 cases/ day in June and July to 4 - 8 cases/ day on July 20-26, over 10 cases/ day from July 27 to August 2. Some severe cases required hospitalization for intensive care.

 

1
5-11 year-olds receive Covid-19 vaccination in van Ninh District.

 

Covid-19 subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 have become dominant, spreading more rapidly than BA.2 in many countries. In Vietnam, infections of BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are climbing with BA.5 surge. The emergence of new subvariants, BA.2.75, BA.2.12.1, is believed to be responsible for the return of the outbreak, threatening health system overload due to overlapping epidemics, Covid‐19 and other diseases such as Influenza A, dengue and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, according to the Ministry of Health.

Vaccination is the best prevention tool against Covid-19

According to the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Covid-19 has been basically under control and life has gradually returned to normal with much recovery and development in Vietnam. However, the WHO warns the Covid-19 pandemic is still not over globally. At the recent Government session, Prime Minister required relevant departments, agencies and localities not to underestimate the prevalence of Covid-19.

 

1A student gets vaccinated against Covid-19 in Dien Khanh District.

 

Apart from drastic measures against the pandemic, the province has boosted Covid-19 vaccination under the direction of the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the Minister of Health. Covid-19 vaccination which has proved a critical tool to best protect from Covid-19 needs to be accelerated. More effective propaganda for vaccination is required for Covid-19 prevention and control. Everyone is urged to continue adhering to guidelines and recommendations of vaccination, mask use and disinfection, as stressed by Dr. Ton That Toan, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control.

 


By August 1, more than 100% of adults aged 18 and older received the first and second shots with 54.53% getting the third, including 76.37% in Khanh Son District, 76.34% in Ninh Hoa Town, 71.7% in Khanh Vinh District, 69.47% in Van Ninh District, 48.94% in Nha Trang City, 43.64% in Cam Ranh City, 43.38% in Dien Khanh District and 37.44% in Cam Lam District. 14.19% were administered with the fourth shots. Over 100% of kids aged 12 to 17 received the first and second doses. 51.07% of 5-11 year-olds received the first dose with 14.84% getting the second.



C.Dan
Translated by N.T