Thanh Nhàn Hospital in Hà Nội recorded 75 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of April, triple the figure of last month. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health reported a spike in COVID-19 cases in the past week, as Việt Nam recorded 183 new infections on Tuesday. 

It was also the highest number of daily cases recorded since the beginning of 2023, followed by 122 cases on April 8. 

Most new infections are in the northern region, with the highest figure in Hà Nội. 

Thanh Nhàn Hospital in the capital city said that the number of its patients infected with COVID-19 in April is already triple the amount from the whole of March, increasing from 25 to 75. 

The facility is providing treatment to 10 COVID-19 patients, all of them are over 60 and have underlying health conditions. 

The hospital noted that while all of these patients are required to have had four COVID-19 vaccines, a majority only had two or three, and some are still to be vaccinated.  

Meanwhile, the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases is treating 74 COVID-19 patients, 10 of whom are on oxygen support. 

On April 8, 52 infections were detected among teachers and students of Khánh Yên Secondary School in Văn Bàn District, Lào Cai Province. 

Most patients showed mild or no symptoms. Some are self-quarantining at home while attending classes via online devices. 

The school has resumed operations as normal, although large gatherings have been temporarily halted. 

Health experts believe that the spike is caused by the transition from spring to summer weather, which creates ideal conditions for viruses to multiply, including SARS-CoV-2.

Dr Trần Đắc Phu, former director of the health ministry’s General Department of Preventive Medicine, said that COVID-19 would not disappear as in the case of SARS in 2003. 

Due to opening policies for tourism and development, the situation of the disease in Việt Nam is linked to the global context, he said.

Dr Phu noted that people need to pay attention to preventive measures, wearing masks in high-risk environments, washing hands regularly and refraining from contact with suspected COVID-19 cases. 

He added that those with symptoms need to be proactive in curbing the spread of the disease. Special focus should be placed on protecting high-risk groups of senior citizens and those with underlying conditions, as well as on vaccination.

The health ministry will continue to monitor the situation in the country and abroad and strengthen control at border gates, in communities and health facilities.

More patient samples will be sent for testing and genome sequencing to detect new variants, especially those that can cause serious illness.

The ministry will also continue the vaccination drive, focusing on high-risk groups and children aged from five to 12, especially those in major cities and provinces with many international tourists. 

Việt Nam has recorded more than 11.5 million coronavirus infections, ranking 13th out of 230 countries and territories. Among them, over 10.6 million have recovered. 

The country’s COVID-19 death toll is 43,186, or 0.4 per cent of the total cases. There have been no COVID-related fatalities in almost the past four months.

More than 266 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country. Among the adult population, more than 52 million have received the third dose, while nearly 18 million have had the fourth dose. — VNS