Vietnamese doctors hold consultation concerning Patient 91's release from hospital.

Patient 91 is a British man who works as a pilot for Vietnam Airlines. He was admitted to the hospital on March 18 with Covid-19. The doctors say he has a blood clotting disorder and cytokine storm syndrome, an immune response in which the immune system releases a lot of cytokines into the bloodstream, which works against the body.

In early May the patient tested negative for the novel coronavirus, but doctors said he was in critical condition due to other causes. He was put on a life support machine called extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and doctors considered performing a lung transplant.

But Patient 91 made a remarkable recovery and now has been taken off the ECMO machine.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son said the man has recovered about 85% of his lung function and now just needs rehabilitation care. When he is a little more stable physically and psychologically, he will be discharged from hospital and flown back to his home country.

“We will continue to treat him until he has fully recovered. We need to contact a hospital in his home country to receive him. He has been released from intensive care, but to be safe, we have asked Cho Ray Hospital to continue recuperation measures,” Son said.

Deputy Director of Cho Ray Hospital Doctor Pham Thi Ngoc Thao said Patient 91 can now eat and wash on his own. His vital signs are stable. The hospital will hold a consultation and make a recommendation to the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control concerning his release from hospital.

Patient 91 is eager to go home, but Cho Ray Hospital will continue to care for him until he is a bit stronger. Then the authorities will complete the necessary repatriation procedures.