People wait to get Covid-19 vaccination in HCM City
The 13th field hospital for Covid-19 treatment will be put into operation within 24 hours in the event of negative developments, the department said at a Thursday meeting.
The meeting was held amid concerns about the possible spread of the new XBB sub-variant of the Omicron virus, particularly as the Tet Lunar New Year Holiday is approaching.
According to the department, the XBB variant, first discovered in India in August last year, was first detected in the southern metropolis on January 4.
XBB and its sub-variants have now been reported in more than 10 countries throughout the region, including Vietnam, and are likely to continue to spread further. The World Health Organisation has said that XBB and its sub-variants were more transmissible compared to other sub-variants.
"Increased travel and larger gatherings during the week-long Tet break will pose a high risk of spreading the virus at a faster rate," the department said. "We have developed scenarios in case XBB spreads further in the community, including a plan to prepare 10,000 beds specifically for Covid-19 treatment."
Local hospitals have been asked to prepare personnel and medical supplies for anti-pandemic activities. The Hospital for Tropical Diseases has been assigned to be the highest-level hospital to treat severe and critical Covid-19 patients.
People have also been urged to comply with Covid-19 preventive regulations, such as wearing face masks and washing hands with sanitiser or soap after returning home.
