On the afternoon of February 21, 2022, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son has just signed a letter to the Directors of the Departments of Health of the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government; Heads of organizations under the Ministry of Health on medical isolation for the patients of Covide-19 (F0) and close contacts (F1).

This official announcement replaces announcement No. 10696/BYT-MT dated December 16, 2021 issued by the Ministry of Health on medical isolation for cases where F1 has received a full dose of vaccine or has recovered from COVID-19. According to the official aanouncement No. 10696/BYT-MT, F1 having had enough vaccines, must isolate for 7 days at home, place of residence, self-supervise their health for the next 7 days. In addition, do the test twice (1st time at the start of isolation, 2nd time on 7th day).

The issuance of this new announcement is based on the current epidemic situation in the world and in Vietnam, the rate of high vaccine covering nationwide, in harmony between economic development and effective control of the COVID-19 epidemic at agencies, factories, schools and localities.

According to this new announcement, the Ministry of Health requests the Directors of Health Services of the provinces and cities; Heads of organizations under the Ministry of Health organize medical isolation with F0 and F1 in accordance with local conditions and resources.

Accordingly, for F1 who have had at least 2 full doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the last dose given for at least 14 days or have recovered from COVID-19 within 3 months by the time of being identified as F1 then conducts a 5-day medical isolation at home, accommodation or other eligible isolation areas from the date of last exposure.

This F1 needs to take the test on the 5th day of isolation by medical staff or self-test under the supervision of medical staffs by at least one of the direct or indirect methods through remote supervision. If the result is negative, continue to self-supervise for the next 5 days and strictly follow the 5K Message.

If F1 has not had enough doses or has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, they will be isolated for 7 days at home, place of residence or other eligible isolation areas from the date of last exposure. This F1 performs the test on the 7th day of isolation. If the result is negative, continue to self-supervise for the next 3 days and strictly follow the 5K Message.

During the isolation process, if F1 shows signs of health abnormalities (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, nasal stuff; pain, fatigue, chills; reduce or lose taste; decreased or lost sense of smell; pain, headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory inflammation) should be reported to health authorities for supervising, testing and treatment as prescribed.

                                                                                                                 Source: Portal of Ministry of Health