Treating COVID-19 patients at a field hospital in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi. (Photo: Tran Hai)

On February 12, Vietnam saw a record high of over 27,000 cases in a single day, with infections reported in all 63 provinces and cities.

The capital city of Hanoi recorded the largest number of cases at nearly 3,000.

According to the Ministry of Health, cases will continue to rise in the time ahead as students begin to go back to school and socio-economic activities return to normal.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health has asked other ministries and localities to be on higher

Particular attention should be given to respiratory infections and severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by viruses. Outbreaks must be addressed promptly to prevent further spread in the community.

The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur Institutes were asked to collect samples for testing, identify disease-causing agents, assess risks and promptly deploy appropriate measures.

Regular vaccination programmes must continue for target groups under the Expanded Immunisation Programme, ensuring progress and coverage targets are met as planned.

Localities must review and manage vaccination records and organise supplementary and catch-up vaccinations for individuals who have not been fully immunised. Campaigns for measles vaccination must also proceed as directed by health ministry.

Provincial and municipal departments of health are instructed to improve patient flow management, ensure effective screening, admission, emergency care and isolation measures, while strictly implementing infection control to prevent cross-infection at medical facilities, especially among high-risk groups such as patients with underlying conditions, the elderly, pregnant women, children and patients in intensive care units.

Departments of agriculture and rural development should co-ordinate with local authorities to enhance proactive surveillance of zoonotic diseases and share information to investigate and handle outbreaks promptly, especially avian flu at border checkpoints and live poultry markets.

Early detection of suspected rabies cases caused by dog and cat bites is also required to ensure timely vaccinations.

The health sector needs co-operate with the education and training sector to disseminate infectious disease prevention in schools, particularly preschools and kindergartens.