(Photo: ncov.moh.gov.vn)

So far, 9 hospitals have imposed distancing as an effort to fight COVID-19. The Ministry of Health has warned of the importance of staying vigilant at the highest level urging hospitals to get prepared for a rising number of patients. Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of the Department of Disease Treatment at the Ministry of Health said hospitals and health care centers have organized quarantine facilities in line with safety criteria:

'Cities and provincials need to raise their alert level and implement measures to contain the disease. COVID-19-hit hospitals need to stop admitting patients and start screening for infections,' said Khue.

The Ministry of Health has asked hospitals to post notices at their entrance, organize quarantine facilities, screen patients, and pay particular attention to F0 cases. All patients need to be tested and make a health care declaration.

Khue said, "Hospitals in epidemic-hit areas need to screen and test all health workers, patients and patient caregivers. Other hospitals need to test every three days frontline doctors, patients, and patient caregivers from outpatient, intensive care, and artificial kidney departments.'

Hospitals nationwide strengthened disease preventive measures, limited the number of visitors and caregivers, spaced beds 2 meters apart, and ensured quality of testing in line with directives of the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.