Many asymptomatic Covid-19 patients in HCM City suddenly worsen

Since being put into operations on July 7, the 3,000-bed field hospital has received more than 2,000 patients. Among those, some 3-5% of previously asymptomatic patients have fallen into a more serious condition for a period of just 6-12 hours with respiratory failure.

This is a great challenge in the Covid-19 treatment in HCM City if medical treatment is not given at the appropriate time.

The same problem has also happened in the city’s Covid-19 Field Hospital 6 which is providing treatment for another 3,000 patients, according to Dr. Phan Minh Hoang, the hospital director.

Dr. Khanh said that it is important to prepare enough necessary medical equipment such as ventilators and X-ray machines for facilities as well as ambulances to ensure examination and transportation of patients.

Most of the affected patients are the elderly with underlying medical issues.

According to Dr. Khanh, hypoxia has been detected quite late among many Covid-19 patients at field hospitals in HCM City, which is one of the leading causes of their worsening conditions. In many cases, it is impossible to detect symptoms with a superficial examination.

HCM City is the epicentre of the country’s fresh outbreak, witnessing more than 2,000 daily cases for the first time on July 14.