More critical, severe Covid cases likely this week, warns health ministry

The coronavirus situation would be "very complicated," especially in the next five to seven days, said Minister of Health Nguyeh Thanh Long at a meeting between the government and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control Monday.

Nearly 1,000 critical and severe cases are now being treated across the country, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

In some parts of the south, for example HCMC, the average daily caseload in the last seven days has been around 1,500 and rising, it showed.

The outbreak in HCMC has also affected nearby provinces like Binh Duong, Long An and Dong Nai, creating new clusters, the ministry said.

Over 6,400 doctors and nurses have been dispatched to HCMC and neighboring localities to assist their local counterparts, and another 9,000 are standing by, it said.

Medical equipment and medicines are on hand, it added.

Long said 993 medical facilities across the country are well equipped with oxygen to handle 66,000 cases requiring breathing support. Oxygen production facilities could produce over 851,000 cubic meters a day, and double their output if needed, he added.

Vietnam is currently facing its toughest Covid situation yet, with 56,479 cases recorded since late April.

HCMC accounts for 35,984 of them.