People in close contact with COVID-19 patients no longer required to self-quarantine: health ministry

A positive COVID-19 test. — VNA/VnExpress News Photo Tuấn Anh

HÀ NỘI — People who have been in close contact with COVID-19 cases (F1 cases) are now no longer required to self-quarantine but have to avoid going to large gatherings, according to new guidance issued by the Ministry of Health.

The new guidance gives new definitions of COVID-19 patients (F0), and F1 cases, along with medical measures for them, which takes into account the very high vaccination coverage and a strong decline in both serious cases and fatalities due to COVID-19 in Việt Nam.

Accordingly, F0 cases are those testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR method, or those who show clinical symptoms (fever, coughing, or three among the symptoms: fever, coughing, body aches, exhaustion, chills, headaches, sore throats, blocked or runny nose, reduced or loss of taste and smell, nausea, diarrhoea, and breathing difficulties).

F0 cases can also be defined as those who have “epidemiological factors”  and have tested positive using antigen test result.  Epidemiological factors are defined as in presence in the same space/event/vehicles and having close contact with confirmed cases in the transmission period.

The suspected F0 cases are those with epidemiological factors and show clinical symptoms, or those with positive antigen test results, or those with severe acute respiratory infection or severe pneumonia that are suspected to have been caused by a virus and have to be hospitalised.

Meanwhile, F1 cases are those who have direct body contact (hugging, kissing, hand shaking, skin-to-skin contacts, etc.) with F0(s) during the transmission period, or stay together with F0(s) within 1m in distance or in closed space for at least 15 minutes wearing masks or not, or personally care for, administer medical examinations and treatment to F0 during the transmission period without wearing personal protective equipment.

The new rules require both F0 and F1 cases to follow prescribed epidemic prevention measures.

Even though no longer required to self-quarantine, F1 cases are required to wear facemasks, regularly wash or disinfect hands, and avoid close contact with others – especially those considered at high risks of severe disease from COVID-19.

They should self-monitor their health and quickly contact medical establishments when having suspicious symptoms in order to receive testing, consultation, medical checks and treatment.

People with positive tests should report to the nearest medical centres to receive treatment and prevention instructions.

The new guidance replaces previous ones on the definition of F0 and F1 cases and relevant medical quarantine measures. — VnExpress News