A Comparison of Covid-19 Patient Characteristics Before versus After Partial Lockdown in Vietnam

Abstract

Background. Given the sudden rapid spread of the Covid-19 in the community since 25 July 2020, an updated analysis of Covid-19 cases was conducted to examine the differences of characteristics of Covid-19 patients before versus after partial lockdown end in Vietnam. Methods. Data of 569 Covid-19 patients confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 23 January to 31 July was collected from available official databases. We divided Covid-19 situation timeline into two main periods, before lockdown end (23 January - 22 April) and after lockdown end (23 April - 31 July). Results. We found significant variations in the distribution of Covid-19 patients among different provinces between two periods. Covid-19 confirmed patients were older in the time after lockdown end compared to in the period before lockdown end by a median of 5 years. All discharged Covid-19 patients and no Covid-19 death were in the phase before lockdown, while post lockdown period had still remained significant patients being under treatment, especially reported first fatalities. The number of Covid-19 patients who returned from other countries (excluding China) slightly increased through two stages (p >0.05), partially showing that the continuous volume of people returning Vietnam from abroad during the Covid-19 epidemic. Conclusions. Our analysis indicated demographic and epidemiological disparity of Covid-19 patients before versus after loosening the national lockdown in Vietnam. It is important to suggest that, proactive efforts in Covid-19 control after partial lockdown end will be effective when the measures to closely control and monitor repatriation and immigration via the borders of Vietnam are strictly enforced.