Biên Hòa (AsiaNews) – Since 20 July, 102 volunteers from the Diocese of Xuân Lộc have been helping COVID-19 patients hospitalised in Đồng Nai province in response to a call by the local bishop, Mgr Gioan (John) Đỗ Văn Ngân.
Across the country, the coronavirus continues to spread at a rapid pace. Over the past seven days, Vietnam has averaged more than 9,600 cases per day.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, health authorities have reported more than 225,000 cases with almost 3,800 deaths. With almost 8,000 total cases, Đồng Nai is the fourth most affected province.
The Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of Saint John of God (OH) is helping the volunteers, religious and lay, providing them a place to rest. Once the volunteers have finished their work, the accommodation will become an isolation area for COVID-19 patients.
Some 80 Dominican nuns are also working on the project, helping in local health facilities.
“Their presence makes the staff in the isolated areas happy,” said Dr Lan Anh, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at a medical centre in Biên Hòa City. “Even non-Catholic patients admire their cheerfulness, kindness and holiness.”
The religious sisters are also busy collecting blood samples for diagnostic tests in various locations in the province.
After the first phase, about 100 other volunteers from the Diocese of Xuân Lộc will replace those currently working in provincial hospitals.
