Ministry of Health guides 3 criteria for classifying Covid-19 safety adaptation levels

In the Ministry of Health's temporary guidance on the implementation of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, (Temporary regulations on "Safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the Covid-19 epidemic"), there are 3 criteria for assessing the epidemic level.

Criterion 1: Number of new cases in the community/100,000 people/week:

The number of new cases in the community/100,000 people/week (new cases) is classified into 4 levels from low to high according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization (level 1: 0 - <20; level 2: 20 - <50; level 3: 50 - <150; level 4: ≥150). Localities can adjust the number of new cases in each level to suit the actual situation.

Criterion 2: Proportion of people aged 18 and over who have received at least 1 dose of Covid-19 vaccine:

This rate is divided into 2 levels (≥70% of people aged 18 and over have received at least 1 dose of vaccine; <70% of people aged 18 and over have received at least 1 dose of vaccine). Localities can adjust the vaccination rate to suit local practical conditions.

In October 2021, at least 80% of people aged 65 and over are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. From November 2021, at least 80% of people aged 50 and over are required to be fully vaccinated.Covid-19 vaccine.

Criterion 3: Ensure the capacity of medical examination and treatment facilities at all levels.:

Provinces and cities have plans to set up admission and treatment facilities and plans to ensure the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds at medical examination and treatment facilities under the province and city (including private health care) ready to respond to the epidemic situation at level 4.

Districts, towns, cities (counties) have plans to set up mobile medical stations, Covid-19 care teams in the community and have plans to provide medical oxygen to commune, ward, and town (commune) medical stations to respond when an epidemic occurs.

Classify the epidemic level according to Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP according to the following table (in which Criterion 1 can be adjusted to reduce or increase the number of new cases in each level to suit the actual situation in the locality).

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that in cases where Criterion 3 is not met, the epidemic level cannot be reduced.

The epidemic level must be increased by 1 if requirement 2 of Criterion 2 is not met (in October 2021, at least 80% of people aged 65 and over are fully vaccinated. From November 2021, at least 80% of people aged 50 and over are fully vaccinated), unless the area is currently at level 4 epidemic or has no cases.

Provinces and centrally-run cities, based on the actual situation of the epidemic, vaccine coverage, actual conditions (population density, socio-economic conditions, etc.), and response capacity, can adjust the criteria and epidemic levels accordingly, ensuring the provisions of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP.

To ensure safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of the Covid-19 epidemic, according to the Ministry of Health, provinces and centrally-run cities need to develop scenarios and plans to ensure medical work to serve epidemic prevention and control at each epidemic level; organize implementation when an epidemic occurs in the area.

Strengthen training and coaching to improve the capacity of tracing, testing, medical isolation and treatment in the area; Enhance the ability to admit, treat and care for people with Covid-19.

Currently, the health sector still takes thousands of Covid-19 test samples every day. Photo: TH

Regarding testing, it is carried out according to risk areas and risk groups. Testing is not indicated for people's travel; testing is only performed on cases coming from areas with epidemics at level 4 or regional medical isolation (blockade) and suspected cases or cases with indications for epidemiological investigation coming from areas with epidemics at level 3.

For people who have been fully vaccinated and people who have recovered from the disease, testing is only required when there is a request for epidemiological investigation, testing for cases of medical isolation or medical monitoring and cases coming from areas with epidemics at level 4 or regional medical isolation (lockdown).

Testing to handle an outbreak depends on risk factors, the epidemic situation and the extent of the outbreak. Localities decide on appropriate subjects and testing locations. Testing is performed by pooling samples in the case of screening, screening and periodic testing.

Regarding medical isolation, for people coming from epidemic areas (epidemic areas at level 4 or medical isolation areas), close contacts (F1) must follow the current instructions of the Ministry of Health. For the elderly, people with underlying diseases, pregnant women, people under 18 years old (children), they must isolate at home and have a caregiver isolate with them.

Taking Covid-19 test samples. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Regarding Covid-19 vaccination, speed up the vaccination rate, prioritize vaccination for people aged 50 and over, people with underlying diseases, pregnant women, and workers in industrial parks and clusters.

F0 treatment is carried out according to current guidelines of the Ministry of Health.

Regarding epidemic prevention and control at production and business establishments, shopping malls, supermarkets, markets, restaurants/eateries, educational and training establishments, and vehicle drivers: follow current guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Regarding the organization of indoor and outdoor gatherings in areas with level 2, 3, and 4 epidemics: localities decide to increase the number of participants or operating capacity in cases where 100% of participants have been fully vaccinated, or have recovered from Covid-19, or have negative SARS-COV-2 test results.