COVID-19 risk remains low despite infection hike

Prof. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the Health Ministry's Department of Preventive Medicine said the number of new COVID-19 cases is on the rise again, with those infected with Omicron variant making up the majority.

New cases have been mainly documented in the northern region due to ongoing weather changes, Phan added.

He underlined the need to closely monitor the evolution of the disease as the World Health Organization has warned that the SARS-CoV-2 virus still exists.

It is necessary to focus on protecting high-risk groups and frontline health workers, and prevent the health system from being overloaded.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health sent an urgent dispatch requiring local authorities to strengthen the prevention and control of COVID-19.

The move was made as the Southeast Asian nation reported 639 new cases from April 5-11, or around 90 cases a day – a 3.8-fold increase compared to the previous week.

The number of patients aged above 50 accounts for 30.2 percent of the total infections while hospitalization is also on the rise and vaccination rate falls behind initial target.

To prevent the pandemic from breaking out again, the ministry asked local People's Committees to continue directing and strictly following instructions of the Government and the Prime Minister on the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Localities are required to direct the organization of receiving, caring for and treating patients, especially high-risk groups such as pregnant women, people with underlying diseases, and the elderly.

In addition, attention must be paid to raising people's awareness of protecting their health and that of their families and communities.

The ministry said it will accelerate vaccination process, keep a close watch on the disease evolution for timely responses./.