Vietnam formulates strategy to reduce COVID-19 related deaths

Vietnam will continue to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations and access treatment medication in an effort to reduce numbers of critically-ill patients and deaths linked to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Giving treatment to a critically-ill COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit.

Giving treatment to a critically-ill COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit.

The goal is part of a strategy the Ministry of health has formulated to reduce the fatality rate in Vietnam which was unveiled by MoH Do Xuan Tuyen in Hanoi on December 8.

According to data from the MoH, approximately 130 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, with 97% of people aged 18 and above receiving their first shot and 70% given their second shot. However, the fatality rate remains high, standing at around 200 cases daily.

Tuyen affirmed the local mortality rate is much lower compared to the rest of the world, and explained that the majority of deaths involved COVID-19 patients with underlying or chronic diseases, or elderly people in poor health.

To better protect people from virus infection and reduce numbers of critically ill patients and deaths, he said Vietnam will give people a booster jab, with priority to be given to high-risk groups, including the elderly and those with underlying illnesses.

Asymptomatic and mild cases will be allowed to receive treatment at home, and only serious cases are transferred to hospitals to ease pressure on quarantine and medical facilities. 

In addition, the MoH is trying to access COVID-19 drugs to support treatment for infection cases. Currently, Vietnam is using several kinds of drugs for COVID-19 treatment such as Molnupiravir, Remdesivir, and Favipiravir. 

Recently, the MoH also permitted the use of Xuyen Tam Lien (Andrographis paniculata), a familiar traditional medicine, as part of COVID-19 treatment.

The country is in the process of conducting phase one, two, and three clinical trials on traditional medicines such as herbs against COVID-19, said Tuyen.

The health official revealed six local companies have so far registered to produce drugs against the virus, with a production capacity of at least one million doses per day.

As of 06pm on December 8 Vietnam has detected more than 1.35 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the first outbreak in January 2020, ranking 33rd out of 223 countries and territories worldwide.

Of the total, 1,036,393 patients have been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery from the disease.

As many as 26,930 patients have died of the virus, making up 2% of the total number of infections. 

VOV

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.