Vietnam’s fight against COVID-19: ‘Iron fist’ in front line

Doctor Tran Quang Vinh examines a quarantined patient at the Quang Ha General Clinic 

Vinh Phuc (VNA) – After a fortnight being in a whirl with treatment and disinfection, today doctors and nurses at the “Binh Xuyen pandemic epicenter” breathed a sigh of relief as two patients have been successfully cured.

In the afternoon of February 18, it was very sunny at the “Binh Xuyen pandemic epicenter”, contrary to humid weather since the Lunar New Year Festival.

The desk of doctors at the Quang Ha General Clinic (Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc province) is also unusual today. Besides pandemic prevention and control devices such as face masks, disinfecting fluid and protective clothes, there are baskets of flowers.

After a fortnight being in a whirl with treatment and disinfection, today doctor Tran Quang Vinh and his colleagues breathed a sigh of relief when two patients have been successfully treated.

“First ray of sunlight” at quarantine area

In late January and early February, Vinh Phuc became the centre of attention in the country as it recorded the highest number of COVID-19 infections, of which Binh Xuyen was considered the pandemic epicenter with nine positive cases. In the face of the pandemic’s complicated developments and increasing number of infections, the Quang Ha General Clinic was assigned by Vinh Phuc authorities as the centre for treatment and quarantine for suspected cases.

As head of the department of infectious diseases at the Phuc Yen General Hospital, doctor Vinh said when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, he was assigned to be in charge of speciality at the Quang Ha General Clinic.

The treatment centre has two separate sections: a one-storey building for positive patients and a three-storey building for quarantined people.

Leaving the section for COVID-19 patients, Vinh took his protective clothes off and cheerfully said: “Finally, the efforts of doctors and nurses have been recognised. Two patients have been clear of the virus…”

Several days ago, the care for patients here was very urgent and tense with a range of activities such as disinfection, taking blood for testing and health monitoring. The past few days, despite being busier with preparations for the ceremony to announce the recovery of the two patients, all doctors and nurses have been in high spirits.

At around 15:00, the two patients, namely Pham Thi Binh and Nguyen Thi Nam, were brought from the special quarantine are to the normal quarantine site. After 19 days of treatment, Binh could get out of the sickroom to meet her relatives, while it took Nam 10 days to do so.

A medical worker takes blood of a patient for testing at the Quang Ha General Clinic

Doctor Vinh said as of February 18, the Quang Ha General Clinic had monitored and managed 44 patients, including five tested positive with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Two out of the five COVID-19 patients were discharged from the hospital on February 18, two others came out of hospital two days later while 39 people continued undergoing health supervision at the clinic, including 29 tested negative for the virus once.

“It is very glad to see that the COVID-19 patients are in stable health conditions and show no abnormal signs, fever, and breathing difficulties, but still have slight cough. All daily testing indicators are normal and they will recover soon,” he said.

Spiritual remedies

Vinh said when he met COVID-19 patients they were frightened as they knew that they were positive for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Doctor Tran Quang Vinh, head of the department of infectious diseases at the Phuc Yen General Hospital (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Therefore, Vinh and his colleagues did not only well perform their roles as doctors but also worked as ideological encouragers.

“We always reassured them and explained that the current COVID-19 patients in Vietnam are in light genre and show no abnormal developments. Normal and strong people will recover from the disease quickly. It becomes more severe for those with chronic diseases,” the doctor said.

To ensure safety, all doctors and nurses at the Quang Ha General Clinic have protective suits and strictly follow treatment and care regulations./.