Over 2,000 children infected with COVID-19 in HCM City

Ho Chi Minh City is currently treating 2,090 children under the age of 16 who have been infected with COVID-19, according to the southern city’s Center for Disease Control (HCDC) on August 18.

A fully recovered COVID-19 girl prepares to be discharged from hospital. (Photo: Children's Hospital)

All of the cases have mild or no symptoms and are receiving treatment at several hospitals across the city.

The Department of Health has issued an urgent document regarding COVID-19 treatment for children. Accordingly, all relevant patients will be isolated at home in the event that they show mild or no symptoms of COVID-19.

If infected children fail to meet the criteria set by the Ministry of Health for home isolation, they will subsequently be transferred to field hospitals No.4 and No.11, along with Cu Chi field hospital.

All F0 cases will be monitored by local health authorities whilst following safety measures regarding infection prevention and control.

Most notably, any cases which turn critical will be transferred to the Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital 2 in the city order to receive special treatment.

According to HCDC, as of 6.a.m. on August 18 the southern metropolis has recorded 158,499 COVID-19 cases, mostly locally acquired.