Many people are still subjective about COVID-19

After the COVID-19 epidemic was classified as a group B infectious disease, many people were complacent and did not apply necessary preventive measures. Therefore, when the epidemic returned, this complacency increased the risk of spreading in the community, affecting the health of people, especially those in high-risk groups.

Patients being treated for COVID-19 at the Department of Tropical Diseases, Thai Nguyen Central Hospital, are mainly elderly people.

Getting sick is not preventable

Since the beginning of May, when some infectious diseases, especially the number of COVID-19 cases in the community, concentrated to increase, the number of people wearing masks in public places, especially medical facilities, has also increased significantly.

However, there are still many people who do not apply the recommended preventive measures. There are even people who know or suspect they have COVID-19 but still talk and eat with everyone.

Ms. Hoang Thi Hoa, Gia Sang Ward, Thai Nguyen City, shared: The other day, I went to a party at a neighbor's house. When we were almost done eating, Mr. K., who was sitting at the same table, said that he and his wife were both infected with COVID-19. I was very surprised and somewhat upset, so I asked why he was infected with COVID-19, but he was not at home, but still eating with everyone. He said: COVID-19 is just like the flu now, moreover, if you say you have COVID-19 and are not present, the family will say that you are not enthusiastic. My daughter-in-law works at a company, she has COVID-19 but she still has to go to work as usual and still eat at the same table with other workers. Because now she can no longer take time off from work and has to be quarantined like before.

Mr. K.'s story is not an isolated one, reflecting a fairly common subjective mentality in the community. Even at some medical facilities in the province, the situation of doctors and nurses not wearing masks when in contact with patients still occurs. Family members who go to take care of COVID-19 patients without wearing masks are not remembered. This makes many people more subjective in preventing and fighting COVID-19 in particular, and other infectious diseases in general.

The risk still exists

According to medical experts, although COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency and has been classified as a group B infectious disease, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still capable of causing serious complications, even death, especially for the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, immunodeficiency, pregnant women...

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Huyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Thai Nguyen Central Hospital: The Department currently has 5 COVID-19 patients, most of whom are elderly, with underlying medical conditions such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, kidney failure, chronic lung disease, etc. For healthy, normal people, when infected with COVID-19, they usually only have mild symptoms, and only need to take medication to treat the symptoms for 2-3 days to recover. But for people with underlying medical conditions, contracting COVID-19 will make the condition worse and these people themselves will also make the treatment of COVID-19 more difficult and persistent, some people have to use a ventilator and stay in the hospital for a month.

Although waiting for their turn to see a doctor at a medical facility, many people still do not wear masks as recommended by the health sector.

Ms. Tran Thi D., 73 years old, Van Lang commune, whose husband, Mr. Ly Van T., 79 years old, is being treated for COVID-19, shared: My husband has heart failure and high blood pressure. He had just been discharged from the hospital after a heart failure treatment when he contracted COVID-19. Due to his low resistance, he had to take medicine for 3 days to get rid of his fever. This time with COVID-19, he was more tired than the last time. However, when taking care of him, she and her son "forgot" to wear masks, because they thought that since someone in the house was infected, it was difficult to avoid getting infected, so they just left it alone.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung, 74 years old, reflecting in Phan Dinh Phung ward, this COVID-19 infection made her much more tired than the previous one. She has many underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high liver enzymes, so when infected with COVID-19, she suffered from severe pneumonia complications and had to be hospitalized for treatment.

Ms. Nhung said: After a week of continuous antibiotics, her health gradually stabilized. Because my children all have young children, I only allow my eldest son to visit me in the hospital to limit the risk of infection to other family members. I didn't think that COVID-19 would be so serious. Therefore, everyone should not be subjective and should fully comply with preventive measures.

Elderly people and people with underlying medical conditions, when infected with COVID-19, will have their underlying medical conditions worsened and COVID-19 treatment will also be longer and more difficult.

Continue to maintain epidemic prevention measures

According to the Department of Health's report: In June alone, the whole province recorded 275 COVID-19 cases. The cumulative number from the beginning of the year to the end of June was 503 cases, an increase of 129 cases compared to the same period in 2024. However, in reality, this number of cases is much higher, because many people have symptoms but do not test, or only test at home, then buy medicine to treat the symptoms themselves, without going to medical facilities.

The Thai Nguyen Provincial Health Department has also issued many documents directing units to continue implementing measures to control the COVID-19 epidemic, especially at medical facilities, crowded places, schools, industrial parks, etc.

Dr. Hoang Anh, Director of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Center for Disease Control: Although there has not been a major outbreak, we are always closely monitoring the situation and recommending that people should not be subjective. If people do not implement preventive measures as recommended by the Ministry of Health, it will increase the risk of spreading, especially in the medical environment, businesses, agencies and units.

To proactively prevent and fight COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has recently continued to recommend that people take many good measures. formation, people need to wear masks in public places, on public transport, and at medical facilities. Limit gatherings in crowded places (if not necessary).

Wash your hands regularly with clean water, soap or antiseptic solution. Increase physical activity, training, and proper nutrition. When having symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, go to a medical facility immediately for examination, monitoring, and timely treatment...

Although COVID-19 has entered a new phase in epidemic management, it is not a reason to be negligent. To avoid unfortunate consequences, more than anyone else, each person needs to raise awareness of disease prevention for themselves and their loved ones, avoid unfortunate consequences that may occur.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/y-te/202507/nhieu-nguoi-van-chu-quan-voi-covid-19-a9e1bc4/