On April 15, 2022, the Ministry of Health issues the Official Dispatch No. 1909/BYT-DP On the change of COVID-19 case definition, and medical measures applicable to COVID-19 cases and close contacts.
Accordingly, suspected case means one of the following persons:
A person who has epidemiological factors and the following symptoms (Fever and cough; or having at least three of the following symptoms: Fever; cough; myalgia, fatigue, chills; headache; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; reduction or loss of taste or smell; nausea; emesis; diarrhoea; dyspnoea).
- A person who has a positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result.
A person with a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) or severe viral pneumonia (SVP) with an indication for hospitalization.
Confirmed case (F0) means one of the following persons:
![Adjust the definition of COVID-19 cases Adjust the definition of COVID-19 cases](https://image.luatvietnam.vn/uploaded/twebp/images/original/2022/05/23/Adjust-the-definition-of-COVID-19-cases_2305140819.jpg)
- A person who has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by detection of viral genetic material (Realtime RT-PCR)
- A person with clinical symptoms, who has a positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result.
- A person with epidemiological factors who has a positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result.
Confirmed case (F1) means one of the following persons:
- A person who has direct physical contact (including shaking hands, hugging, kissing, having direct skin-to-skin contact, body contact, etc.) with F0 during the confirmed case’s transmission period.
- A person who wears a facial mask while having contact, communicating within one meter or is in the same narrow, closed space for at least 15 minutes as the confirmed case during the confirmed case’s transmission period (in previous regulations: 02 meter).
- A person who wears no facial mask when having close contact or communication within one meter or is in the same narrow, closed space as the confirmed case during the confirmed case’s transmission period (in previous regulations: 02 m).
A person who directly provides care, medical examination and treatment for the confirmed case during the transmission period of the confirmed case without personal protective equipment as prescribed.
All confirmed cases and cases subject to surveillance shall take measures to prevent infection, isolation, testing, treatment and healthcare according to the Ministry of Health’s regulations.
For F1, has no requirement on mandatory quarantine but within 10 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case during his/her transmission period, the close contact must strictly take the following medical measures:
- Wearing facial masks, regularly washing hands with soap and clean water/hand sanitizer, limiting close contact with others, especially avoiding being in contact with people with high risks, people with serious illnesses;
- Avoiding sharing items on daily life, work or study with others; avoiding going to crowded places;
- Self-monitoring of health When having fever and cough; or at least three of the following symptoms: Fever; cough; myalgia, fatigue, chills; headache; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; reduction or loss of taste or smell...It is required to immediately report to the healthcare facilities.