Currently, the number of F0 cases in Thuan An city is increasing. All 10 communes and wards in the city have the level 2 of Covid-19 infection. Facing this fact, the city has shifted its response to the pandemic, promoting treatment for F0 cases at floors in combination with upholding the role of community-based Covid-19 groups in propagandizing, monitoring and giving home treatment for F0 cases.
Building up community-based Covid-19 group network
It was almost 6 pm, but Ho Thanh Tam, Head of the Executive Board of Binh Thuan 2 quarter in Thuan Giao ward did not leave his office yet. Our interview with him was constantly interrupted by calls to his personal number. Most were calls from locals asking for advice from him. All questions and concerns about F0 treatment at home were explained and consulted by him with thoughtful advice.
A member of the community-based Covid-19 group in Binh Giao ward’s Binh Thuan quarter in Thuan An city to propagandize and mobilize workers to get vaccinated against Covid-19
This is one of 542 effective community-based Covid-19 groups in Thuan An city. Each group includes 3 to 5 members who are officials of quarters and mass organizations. It is in charge of 30 - 50 households and has a specific list of households assigned. Members of the community-based Covid-19 groups are trained on pandemic prevention and control. In order for information to be smooth, timely and unified, the city has directed the establishment of Zalo groups. Mr. Tam, said: “Every day, members of the community-based Covid-19 group will go to every alley, knock on every door, track every subject to perform 5 tasks. Specifically, they propagandize, mobilize and remind people to take measures against Covid-19 pandemic under the "5K" message of the Ministry of Health, actively participate in vaccination, request and guide them to self- monitor their health, provide phone numbers and give advice for F0 cases with treatment at home”.
Evaluating the role of community-based Covid-19 groups, doctor Huynh Thi Nguyet Phuong, Director of Thuan An city’s Medical Center said: “One of the local anti-pandemic experience is to mobilize the strength of the community. With the meaning of "fighting the pandemic like fighting the enemy", community-based Covid-19 groups are the "extension arm" of mobile medical stations and fixed ones. With the operation of community-based Covid-19 groups, Thuan An city has really brought anti-Covid-19 measures to each household. This is the most vivid manifestation of Covid-19 prevention and control based on people...".
Currently, in order to adapt to the new situation, community-based Covid-19 groups promote propaganda, remind people to fully vaccinate, scan QR codes for production, business and service establishments and monitor F0 cases. Talking to us, Ton Quang Vinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Chuan ward in Thuan An city said: "Currently, the number of Covid-19 cases is increasing rapidly. The locality has made changes against Covid-19 pandemic in the new situation. Specifically, letting F1 cases medically isolate at home when being eligible is also the time when the role of community-based Covid-19 groups must be enhanced. Especially, they have coordinated with relevant units to strictly implement supervision over F0 cases isolated at home to ensure pandemic prevention and control.
Actively giving treatment for F0 cases at 2nd and 3rd floors
Currently, the Covid-19 pandemic has moved to a new stage. The percentage of people in the province who have got vaccinated against the pandemic is very high, so there is no longer the organization of treatment on the first floor. Covid-19 patients are mainly isolated for treatment and monitoring at home through mobile medical stations and community-based Covid-19 groups. Therefore, Thuan An city’s Medical Center has changed its anti-pandemic plan, focusing on treating patients on the 2nd and 3rd floors. As of now, Thuan An city has put a Covid-19 treatment area at An Phu General Clinic in An Phu ward with a scale of 200 beds, including 68 beds for severe patients belonging to the 2nd treatment floor of the city’s Medical Center into use.
Currently, Thuan An city is implementing a 3-storey tower treatment model. Accordingly, the first floor is used to collect, isolate, manage, and provide medical examination and treatment for suspected Covid-19 cases waiting for confirmation testing, infected people without symptoms and mild Covid-19 patients. The second floor receives and treats moderate and severe Covid-19 patients. The 3rd treatment floor is for severe and critical Covid-19 patients.
Facing the fact that the number of Covid-19 cases is on an increasing trend, doctor Huynh Thi Nguyet Phuong added: The city's health center is promoting the task of rechecking medical equipment, being proactive to prepare treatment drugs and medical oxygen to well realize early diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19 patients. Along with combining treatment between Eastern and Western medicine, the center also mobilizes the local private health system and retired medical staff to participate in the monitoring, care and treatment of Covid-19 patients at hospitals. The city’s medical center is focusing on implementing a personalized treatment strategy for each patient in order to have each appropriate treatment plan under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, thereby minimizing the number of cases with endotracheal intubation, focusing on respiratory support, adjusting the treatment plan to the progress of each patient, limiting patient's severe transition and death.
If patients on the first treatment floor are isolated in time with enough nutrition, comfortable mind, fully instructed on bacterial contamination control and get quick access to medical services, they will minimize the risk of moving to the 2nd or 3rd floors. Therefore, the first treat floor at medical stations, mobile ones and the monitoring of community-based Covid-19 groups are considered as the most important factors to reduce severe Covid-19 cases and deaths. So far, all hospitals in the city have switched to the "split hospital" model to be ready to receive Covid-19 patients moved from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor. (Doctor Huynh Thi Nguyet Phuong, Director of Thuan An city’s Health Center)
Reported by Hoang Linh-Translated by Kim Tin
