Hanoi prepares 1,000 beds for possible Covid-19 infections

Six major hospitals in Hanoi city have been asked to prepare a total of one thousand beds, get ready to admit patients 24/7 and carry out rehearsals to immediately respond when any new Covid-19 patient is detected, VnExpress reported.

The plan has been made by the Hanoi Department of Health during a meeting on March 7 with more than 30 directors of medical centers and hospitals in the city to implement preventive measures against Covid-19.

Medical staff in the isolation area of ​​Ha Dong General Hospital. Photo: Thuy An

The major hospitals, including Bac Thang Long, Dong Da, Thanh Nhan, Duc Giang, Saint Paul and Ha Dong, are asked to ensure the supply of drugs, equipment and materials.

The Department of Health and the capital’s High Command have submitted a plan to the municipal People's Committee on establishing two field hospitals with 600 beds each.

Besides, the city has set up five rapid response teams who are ready 24/7 to implement measures of isolating, investigating and handling epidemic outbreaks, taking samples of all nCoV-suspected cases for testing.

The testing department in hospitals will be on duty around the clock, ensuring staff for sampling all suspected cases to be tested when required.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Nguyen Khac Hien urged the units to focus on reviewing their epidemic prevention scenario, actively detect nCoV-infected cases and follow isolation protocol to minimize infection.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Health Hoang Duc Hanh said that every medical staff and the people should stay calm, update information from credible sources about the disease evolution as well as take proactive measures to protect themselves as recommended by the Ministry of Health.

Hanoi confirmed the first infection late on March 6 and since then three other cases have been dectected in the city. As of Sunday evening, Vietnam reported 30 people positive with the coronavirus.