Official Dispatch 11011/BYT-KCB 2021 tests for detection of COVID-19 cases and tests for patients discharged from hospitals

The Ministry of Health has received written proposals from Departments of Health of provinces and centrally run cities, on the use of rapid antigen test results to identify people infected with SARS-CoV-2 and determine the state of recovery from the disease and discharge patients from the hospital, after doing research, the Ministry of Health has the following comments:

1. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic in the country still remains complicated, the number of infected cases is increasing, in order to adapt to the new situation and ensure safety, flexible adaption to conditions and human resources of localities, Departments of Health of provinces and cities, hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health, health agencies of ministries and branches shall, based on the pandemic risk levels, response ability and the Temporary guidance on home-based management of people infected with COVID-19 promulgated together with the Minister of Finance’s Decision No. 4038/QD-BYT dated August 21, 2021, Guidance on COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment promulgated together with the Decision No. 4689/QD-BYT dated October 06, 2021, identify confirmed cases as follows:

a) Confirmed cases mean suspected cases (according to the definition in Section 2.1 of the Ministry of Health's Decision No. 4689/QD-BYT dated October 06, 2021), or any persons who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus by Real-time RT PCR technique.

b) Confirmed cases mean suspected cases (according to the definition in Section 2.1 of the Ministry of Health's Decision No. 4689/QD-BYT dated October 06, 2021) who have a positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result (rapid test kits must be licensed by the Ministry of Health, and such tests must be conducted by health workers or by suspected cases under the supervision of health workers directly or indirectly through remote devices).

c) Confirmed cases mean asymptomatic persons with epidemiological factors or asymptomatic close contacts with suspected cases or confirmed cases within 14 days and have two positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test results (in which, the second test must be conducted within 8 hours after obtaining the first test result, rapid test kits must be licensed by the Ministry of Health, and such tests must be conducted by health workers or by suspected cases under the supervision of health workers directly or indirectly through remote devices). In case there is only one positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result, a Real-time RT-PCR test is required.

2. Regarding the proposal on using rapid antigen test results to determine the state of recovery from the disease and discharge patients from the hospital:

a) For asymptomatic COVID-19 patients or COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who satisfy conditions for home quarantine and treatment as prescribed, home quarantine and treatment shall be lifted in case:

- The quarantine and treatment duration is full 10 days;

- The patients have negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test results, in which, rapid test kits must be licensed by the Ministry of Health, such tests must be conducted by health workers or by the patients under the supervision of health workers directly or indirectly through remote devices.

- Health stations managing the patients shall certify the patients’ recovery.

b) For COVID-19 patients being treated at COVID-19 collection and treatment establishments

* For people only infected with COVID-19 (not suffering other diseases)

- Clinical symptoms disappear 3 days or more before the hospital discharge date

- Having a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result by Real-time RT-PCR method or having a low viral load (CT ≥ 30) or having a negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result before the date of hospital discharge (such rapid test kits must be licensed by the Ministry of Health).

- After hospital discharge, patients must stay at home and self-monitor their health for the next 7 days; and check their body temperature twice a day, if the body temperature is higher than 38°C at two consecutive checkings or there are any abnormal clinical signs, the patient must notify the grassroots health agency for timely medical examination and handling.

- Complying with the 5K messages

* For COVID-19 patients with underlying medical conditions or accompanying diseases

- Clinical symptoms disappear 3 days or more before the hospital discharge date

- Having a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result by Real-time RT-PCR method or having a low viral load (CT ≥ 30) or having a negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result before the date of hospital discharge (such rapid test kits must be licensed by the Ministry of Health).

- Patients shall be transferred to a separate room of other departments for treating accompanying diseases or underlying medical conditions (if any) for continuing treatment and scanning, monitoring in accordance with regulations applicable to in-patients; and must check their body temperature twice a day,

- Complying with the 5K messages

The Ministry of Health hereby informs concerned units for implementing, monitoring, assessing and reporting to the Ministry of Health for timely adjustment./.