COVID-19 in Vietnam, update from 1st April 2020

Since our last update yesterday, Vietnam has reported 8 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 212 as of 9AM, 1st April 2020.

With the number of cases growing by the day, the Vietnamese government is implementing strict measures to contain the disease. Aside from declaring COVID-19 a national pandemic and ordering a nationwide social distancing policy yesterday, it has also banned all international flights entering the country. Domestic flights are also kept to a minimum.

8 new COVID-19 cases in the country


A patient being examined by a medical staff
(Photo for illustration purposes only)
Image credit: Bệnh Viện Sản Nhi Quảng Ninh

Of the 8 new cases, 5 are associated with the Bạch Mai Hospital in Hanoi and the Bar Buddha in Hồ Chí Minh City, 2 major COVID-19 hotspots in Vietnam at the moment. The other 3 are Vietnamese nationals returning from abroad.

Case 205 is a 41-year-old Vietnamese man who is an employee at the Trường Sinh Company, which provides logistical services to the Bạch Mai Hospital.

Case 206 is a 48-year-old Vietnamese man who lives in District 2, Hồ Chí Minh City. He had close contact with cases 124 and 151. Previously, Case 124 was confirmed positive after he was at a party in Bar Buddha.

Case 207 is a 49-year-old Brazilian man who lives in District 2, Hồ Chí Minh City. He is the husband of case 151 and a colleague of Case 124.

Case 208 is a 38-year-old woman who is also an employee at the Trường Sinh Company.

Case 209 is a 55-year-old woman who lives in Long Biên District, Hanoi. She had close contact with Case 163. Case 163, in turn, contracted the disease through her grandmother, Case 161, who was a patient at the Bạch Mai Hospital.

Case 210 is a 26-year-old woman from Hà Tĩnh Province. She returned to Vietnam from Thailand on 20th March and had reportedly met with Case 201 beforehand. She was quarantined on arrival.

Case 211 is a 23-year-old woman who lives in Đống Đa District, Hanoi. She had been studying in the US before returning to Vietnam on 20th March.  

Case 212 is a 35-year-old woman from Thái Bình Province in the north. She flew back to Vietnam from Moscow on 27th March with her husband. They both were quarantined on arrival. There is currently no update on the condition of her husband.

Vietnam bans all international flights, while domestic flights are currently limited


Image adapted from: @dashaslavyaninova

In an official document sent to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam yesterday, the Ministry of Transport ordered the ban of all international flights entering Vietnam. The ban comes into effect today and will last until 15th April.

Special cases such as flights carrying people on diplomatic and other official duties, experts, and highly-skilled workers can be exempted from the ban, provided their entry is approved by the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Domestic flights will also be kept to a minimum with flights connecting Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City limited to 2 a day. Moreover, only 1 flight from Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City to the central city of Đà Nẵng is permitted per day.

Vietnam is working hard to stem the spread of COVID-19

Vietnam is currently at a decisive time in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The next couple of weeks are no doubt going to be tough, but as long as we all adhere to the new regulations and stay at home, we will pull through this ordeal. 

For more COVID-19 updates and stories, check out:

Cover image adapted from: Bệnh Viện Sản Nhi Quảng Ninh, @dashaslavyaninova

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