In a recently issued dispatch, DAV asked relevant units to proactively coordinate with medical examination and treatment facilities to assess actual demand and develop appropriate production and business plans.

The goal is to ensure the sufficient and timely supply of COVID-19 treatment drugs, as well as essential medications for patients, particularly those used for symptom management, respiratory support, and emergency resuscitation, said DAV.

It added that the supply of these medications must remain continuous and stable, with no shortages or interruptions. All related activities must adhere to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines issued in June 2023.

For medicines in short supply or considered rare, DAV pledged to fast-track the issuance of circulation registrations and import licenses upon request from relevant units, ensuring timely access for healthcare facilities.

Statistics show Vietnam has recorded nearly 700 scattered COVID-19 cases across 39 provinces and cities so far this year, with two fatalities reported in Ho Chi Minh City.

Data from Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) indicates that the NB.1.8.1 subvariant was the dominant strain in gene sequencing samples from hospitalised patients during the third week of May 2025.

At a recent health meeting, experts noted that COVID-19 has become endemic globally, with a rising trend and outbreaks occurring in many countries, including regional neighbours like China, Thailand, and Singapore. However, there is no current evidence suggesting that the new subvariants cause more severe symptoms, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued any new global alerts.

In Vietnam, only sporadic cases have been detected, with no concentrated outbreaks. As the summer holiday approaches, increased travel and large gatherings at tourist and public venues may elevate the risk of transmission. Nonetheless, health authorities believe that serious cases are unlikely to rise significantly, as the current variants of SARS-CoV-2 appear to have low virulence.

COVID-19 infections triple in HCM City, two deaths reported

VOV.VN - The number of coronavirus infections in Ho Chi Minh City has increased three-fold in recent times, with two deaths recorded, according to the city’s Department of Health.