As COVID-19 cases rise again, experts insist on more vigilance

Medical workers talk to residents before COVID-19 vaccinations in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – As the number of COVID-19 cases is
increasing, experts have issued new warnings on the importance
of preventive measures and vaccine boosters.

The (MoH) reported nearly 1,300 new cases of
COVID-19 on Thursday, an increase of 100 cases from the day before. The
new cases were mainly due to the  and variants of the
Omicron strain.

Associate professor Tran Dac Phu, former director of the General Department of
Preventive Medicine under the MoH, said that the easing of anti-pandemic
measures and neglect of preventive measures were behind the increase.

“People do not wear masks and do not take preventive measures, even in
high-risk areas. Those with symptoms also do not quarantine, do not make a
medical declaration, and do not get tested, so they do not know if they have
or not,” said Phu.

He added that the number of new cases was not exact, because testing was
no longer carried out, so asymptomatic cases were not included in the
total.

Phu believes it is important to protect people at high-risk, such as those
with underlying diseases, the elderly, and people who have not received a full
course of vaccine.

Effective protective measures are still disinfection, wearing masks in
high-risk areas such as hospitals and crowded places, or avoiding contact with
infected people.

It is necessary to have booster doses of the vaccine to limit the number of new
cases and avoid overloading the healthcare system.

Phu said that the health sector must properly assess the risk based on the
real number of infections in their managed areas. They should assess severe
cases and those under treatment.

“We have loosened preventive measures but still have to ensure control,”
he said.

Phu said booster jabs were crucial in preventing the disease, avoiding
severe cases, preventing the health system from becoming overloaded and
reducing mortality.

“We must educate people on the vaccines, especially the elderly and people
with underlying diseases,” said Phu.

Vietnam still has 21.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in stock, mainly Pfizer
and Moderna vaccines, said Duong Thi Hong, deputy director of the National
Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

The rate of booster doses for children over 12 had not
reached the plan, she said. And the rate of basic doses for children between
five and under 12 years old was also the same./.