Ho Chi Minh City has suspended its largest Covid-19 ICU center to receive and treat patients with tumors, and dismissed certain other field hospitals.

Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, decided on the suspension based on a proposal by the municipal Department of Health as the number of hospitalized Covid-19 cases has dropped below 1,000 a day, along with a reduced number of severe cases and deaths.

The suspension of field hospitals would also allow health workers to recover and prepare for new developments should the disease take a different turn in future.

The ICU center at the Oncology Hospital is the largest for Covid-19 patients, not just in HCMC but across Vietnam. The center was specialized for Covid-19 treatment in July 2021, when the coronavirus rampaged through the southern city. The center has treated over 5,000 patients to date.

Other field hospitals and medical facilities for Covid-19 treatment in districts, wards and industrial parks would still be maintained. Hospitals that have been re-specialized to treat Covid-19 would be restored to their original functions, but Covid-19 departments would be formed.

Covid-19 hospitals that have been suspended could be re-activated within 24 hours by the HCMC health department should the need arise.

HCMC has recorded over 534,000 Covid-19 cases in the fourth coronavirus wave since late April. Around 20,285 people have died.

Source: VNE