HCM City sets up additional medical site to treat severe F0 patients

This updated was given during an online meeting held on July 17 with Ho Chi Minh City's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

During the event, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam asked the southern city to strictly follow social distancing measures in line with the Government’s Directive 16, along with tightening preventive measures at blockade areas and promoting the supervisory role of community-based teams as part of efforts to prevent cross-infection.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, revealed that apart from the establishment of an additional 1,000-bed hospital, the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Cho Ray Hospital set up a further 300 beds aimed at treating critically-ill patients.

With regard to the supply source of essential goods, the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade revealed that they have increased the overall quantity of goods in order to serve local residents.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam stated that the Government has also directed relevant ministries to ensure the continued supply of essential goods for local residents, while simultaneously abiding by social distancing measures.

Deputy PM Dam also emphasised the necessity of enhancing transparency and removing hurdles in procuring machines and equipment for the country’s ongoing COVID-19 battle.

According to a report released by local authorities, between 6:00 a.m. on July 16 and the morning of July 17, the southern city recorded more than 2,800 new cases of COVID-19, of which more than 80% were in quarantine or in locked down areas.

A further 420 positive cases have been detected through screening tests at hospitals, with the city's health facilities treating 20,800 COVID-19 patients, of which 306 are on mechanical ventilation and eight are relying heavily on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy.