Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Step by step normalization with Covid-19 epidemic

Number of cases increased but critical rate decreased sharply

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the Covid-19 epidemic is still under control nationwide. However, recently, many localities have recorded an increase in the number of cases in the community, especially after the Omicron variant entered the country.

The Prime Minister requested leaders of ministries, branches and localities to focus on assessing issues arising from the increase in the number of infections, as well as new and unexpected issues that need attention and concern in order to have appropriate solutions to prevent and control the epidemic; propose additional measures to prevent and control the epidemic, especially the issue of drugs and vaccines to prevent Covid-19.
According to the Ministry of Health, as of March 4, 2020, the world recorded over 442.7 million Covid-19 cases, over 6 million deaths. In February 2022 alone, the world recorded over 52 million new cases, including over 200,000 deaths.
To date, Vietnam has recorded 4,059,262 cases, 2,589,436 people have recovered (accounting for 63.8% of total cases), and 40,609 deaths. The distribution of infection rates by age in February 2022 increased by 2-2.5 times compared to January 2022; specifically, the 18-49 age group accounted for 54.3% of total cases (871,083 cases); the 50-65 age group accounted for 10.8% (173,254 cases); the over 65 age group accounted for 4.5% (72,189 cases).

The Ministry of Health assessed that the Covid-19 epidemic is now basically under control nationwide. All localities have moved to the state of "Safe, flexible adaptation, effective control of the Covid-19 epidemic" according to Resolution 128/NQ-CP of the Government. However, the number of new cases has tended to increase rapidly in most provinces and cities in the past month (with about 50,000-75,000 cases/day, the highest being more than 125,000 cases/day).

Compared to the previous month, the number of community cases nationwide increased by 197.9% but the number of deaths decreased by 47.1%. The number of cases being treated in hospitals decreased by 24.5%, the number of severe and critical cases decreased by 43.1%, still within the response capacity of the health system. The death/infection rate of the past 30 days was 0.2%, down 0.8% compared to the previous month.

As of March 3, Vietnam had received 218 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine; distributed 204.4 million doses, and administered more than 196 million doses. Notably, in the 30 days of the spring vaccination campaign (from January 29 to February 28), the whole country administered more than 14 million doses, mainly supplementary and booster doses (more than 12 million doses), contributing to increasing the rate of full vaccination with 2 doses of basic vaccine and 3rd dose nationwide.
Clarifying some issues, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that the recent increase in cases is mainly due to the BA.2 variant of the Omicron strain (which has appeared in nearly 80 countries and territories), accounting for nearly 90% of the total number of samples detected in the country. Current testing reagents are still effective in detection. “Current vaccines are particularly effective in reducing severity, deaths and hospitalizations. Therefore, vaccination must be considered a top priority. However, the possibility of reinfection with the Omicron variant exists, so epidemic prevention and control measures must still be implemented. The health system is still standing firm, increasing the capacity to resuscitate and treat severe cases. The Ministry of Health is taking steps towards treating Covid-19 as it would treat normal patients. In particular, during this period, implementing the 5K message + vaccine + treatment drugs and raising public awareness are very important in epidemic prevention and control work,” Minister Nguyen Thanh Long informed.
At the meeting, leaders of several provinces and cities informed and analyzed the local epidemic situation, the measures being strengthened to protect people at high risk, especially promoting Covid-19 vaccination. Some opinions suggested that the Ministry of Health study and evaluate to limit the impact of the Omicron variant on socio-economic recovery activities; guide people to buy and use Monulpiravir safely and promptly.
Leaders of some provinces and cities proposed to increase treatment capacity at facilities, remove procedures and provide instructions for F1 isolation; strengthen the classification of treatment levels; propose to convert electronic health declarations for all people into declarations for F0 to focus on managing people with COVID-19...

Step by step normalization with Covid-19 epidemic
Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that, through the report of the Ministry of Health and opinions at the meeting, the epidemic situation is now basically under control nationwide, achieving the goal of focusing on controlling the risks of severe cases and deaths as set out in Resolution 128/NQ-CP.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered concluding remarks at the meeting.

Reviewing the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in the country, the Prime Minister affirmed that our vaccination campaign has been successful, achieving a very high coverage rate compared to other countries in the world and in the region. Regarding treatment, we have harmoniously, reasonably, flexibly and effectively combined treatment at medical facilities and treatment at home, controlling risks; we are on the right track, gradually demonstrating clear effectiveness.
Along with that, the issue of "treatment drugs is difficult", so the Ministry of Health is proceeding very cautiously, both ensuring people's health, complying with legal regulations, and solving urgent and unprecedented problems. Under the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health has licensed a number of drugs to prevent and control the epidemic. The Government is directing very strongly to quickly license more drugs suitable for the situation, international practices as well as legal regulations, solving the unprecedented problem.
In addition, domestic vaccine production is promoted with a positive spirit, minimizing administrative procedures but ensuring professional and scientific requirements; prioritizing people's lives and health, and so far the situation is showing good prospects.
In recent times, social security work has been actively implemented with a budget of about 78 trillion VND, especially during Tet, about 9.3 trillion VND has been allocated for this work from different sources. In the difficult and complicated context, security and order have been ensured nationwide; crime in the first two months of the year has decreased in many criteria. With the spirit of great national solidarity following the call of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the mobilization of resources to fight the epidemic has been actively implemented and achieved good results.
The Prime Minister emphasized that thanks to good control of the Covid-19 pandemic, the recovery and socio-economic development achieved positive results in all aspects. The close relationship between these two tasks affirms the Party's correct direction in shifting its strategy in epidemic prevention and control; the implementation of the National Assembly and Government's direction; the participation of the entire political system; the consensus and support of the people and the business community; and the support of international friends and partners.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that over the past time, ministries, branches, localities, people and businesses have gained more experience in epidemic prevention and control, thereby being more proactive, calm, consistent and determined in implementing epidemic prevention and control measures. In particular, the Lunar New Year took place safely, joyfully, healthily and economically. “Practice shows that vaccines are the most important and safest shield in epidemic prevention and control. Getting vaccinated earlier and increasing the third dose will be safer. Ensuring timely treatment contributes to preventing severe illness and death. Other experiences include strictly controlling high-risk groups; raising people's awareness, strictly following the "5K" message; stepping up propaganda work, instructing people on how to prevent and control the epidemic; strengthening the grassroots medical force; effectively implementing the 4 on-site measures and actively socializing in epidemic prevention and control", the Prime Minister emphasized.
Being prepared for the forecast that the epidemic will continue to develop in a complicated, unpredictable and difficult-to-predict manner with the Omicron variant, with more difficulties and challenges than opportunities and advantages, the Prime Minister requested to absolutely not be negligent, subjective, lose vigilance, or panic; firmly grasp and closely follow the practical situation to have appropriate solutions to prevent and control the epidemic well, recover quickly and develop sustainably; at the same time, continue to implement safe and flexible adaptation, effectively control the Covid-19 epidemic according to Resolution 128/NQ-CP of the Government, gradually normalizing the Covid-19 epidemic.
The Prime Minister requested “multi-objectives”: Continue to prevent the spread, focus on effectively controlling risks, limit the number of severe cases, reduce deaths, avoid overloading the health system; promote rapid recovery, sustainable development, ensure the major balance of the economy; resolve and care for social security issues; ensure national defense and security.
Regarding implementation solutions, the Prime Minister requested to persistently and resolutely implement the Party's policies, the National Assembly's Resolution, and the Government's Resolution 128/NQ-CP, control high-risk cases, severe cases, and deaths; continue to strictly, flexibly, and effectively implement the formula "5K + vaccine + treatment drugs + technology + raising people's awareness and other flexible measures", and apply flexibly in specific conditions.
The Prime Minister emphasized that it is necessary to be more rapid in vaccination in the spirit of "going to every alley, knocking on every door, checking every person", completing the third injection in the first quarter of 2022, for people aged 18 and over (except for contraindicated subjects and those who have not yet reached the vaccination time), completing the second injection for people aged 12-17 in March 2022, preparing the vaccination campaign for children aged 5-11, researching the fourth injection and vaccination for children under 5 years old...

The Ministry of Health urgently licenses drugs for disease prevention and treatment, ensuring safety, effectiveness, and compliance with the situation, regulations, and international practices; presides over and strengthens guidance on treatment measures at home and at medical facilities, ensuring effectiveness, avoiding overloading the medical system, especially the third floor, focusing on managing high-risk people and workers.
The Ministry of Information and Communications continues to improve technologies serving epidemic prevention and control, based on the population database. The Ministry of Information and Communications directs press and media agencies to increase information and propaganda to ensure timely and accurate information about the situation and solutions of competent authorities, in the spirit of taking the positive to push back the negative, increasing information and guidance to reassure people, effectively preventing distorted and false arguments...
The Prime Minister requested to further enhance people's awareness to protect themselves, their families, communities and the country; continue to take people as the center, subject, goal and driving force in epidemic prevention and control.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for specifying the isolation of F0 and F1; researching and publishing necessary, effective, scientific, and appropriate indicators and data on disease prevention and control in accordance with the situation and international practices; providing unified and effective instructions on drug use...
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to propose regulations on entry and exit in accordance with the new conditions. The Ministry of Education and Training shall preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to direct and guide the opening of schools to ensure consistency, synchronization, and continuity nationwide.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presides over and coordinates with relevant agencies to direct and guide the reopening of tourism from March 15.
The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs continues to implement Resolution 68/NQ-CP of the Government on social security.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall take the lead in ensuring security and national defense according to their functions, tasks and powers.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the spirit of epidemic prevention and control is unprecedented, so we should not be perfectionist or hasty, but closely follow the situation to continue to learn from experience and make appropriate adjustments.