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

BackgroundGiven the Covid-19 sudden rapid spread 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. MethodsData 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). ResultsWe 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. ConclusionsOur analysis indicated demographic and epidemiological disparity of Covid-19 patients before versus after loosening the national partial 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. What is already known on this topicO_LIMost of Covid-19 confirmed patients in Vietnam were acquired overseas. C_LIO_LIIn Vietnam, Covid-19 epidemic had the low estimated reproduction ratio (R0) and SARS-CoV-2 spread was on the downward trend before July 25. C_LI What this study addsO_LICovid-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. C_LIO_LIAll 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. C_LIO_LIContinuous volume of people returning Vietnam from abroad through two stages during the Covid-19 epidemic. C_LIO_LIOur analysis might be considered as a prompt reference source for further in-depth surveys to understand the adaptive models of Covid-19 patients among different provinces. C_LI