Vietnamese doctors are doing their best to save lives of two coronavirus patients, one British and one Vietnamese, whose health conditions have worsened at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi’s Dong Anh district, Zing.vn reported.

Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases 2 is giving treatment for 15 patients with Covid-19. Photo: Pham Thang

Specifically, the British patient, 69, with pre-existing diseases of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, was placed on mechanical ventilation from March 15. From 2:30 am on March 16, he was moved to the Department of Intensive Care for follow-up treatment.

The patient was found infected with Covid-19 on March 8 and underwent treatment at Lao Cai General Hospital. He was transferred later to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. The man arrived in Vietnam on the same Vietnam Airlines flight VN54 as Hanoi’s first Covid-19 patient, Nguyen Hong Nhung.

The second patient with severe development is a Vietnamese female, 64, with vestibular disorder. From late afternoon of March 15, the patient had symptoms of increased dyspnea. By 10:00 pm, the patient showed respiratory depression.

The woman, Nhung’s aunt, was diagnosed with Covid-19 on March 7, a day after Nhung was confirmed positive with the coronavirus. This is one of three cases who came in close contact with Nhung.

Dr.Dao Xuan Co, head of the Department of Positive Resuscitation under Bach Mai Hospital, said that after receiving mechanical ventilation, dialysis and positive resuscitation measures, the British patient has improved, however, he is still in severe condition.

The Vietnamese female patient still has respiratory failure, severe lung damage, and is currently under continuous dialysis. "We will keep consulting and providing daily professional support for the treatment of patients in serious conditions and in urgent situations," Dr.Co said.

On March 15, knowing the severe situation of the British patient, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19, requested Dr.Nguyen Gia Binh, a leading expert on active resuscitation to treat the patient.

Besides the two above-mentioned cases, the Ministry of Health said that most patients at health facilities are experiencing good progression. Many Covid-19 patients tested negative for the first time.