Four people, including one from the Czech Republic, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Viet Nam on Saturday afternoon, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infection cases in the country to 53.

In Viet Nam at this time, people are called on to wear face masks in public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The 50^th patient is a 50-year-old man from Ha Noi’s Ba Dinh District. He reportedly returned from a business trip to Paris on March 9. Two days later, he had a fever and dry cough but no chest pain or difficulty breathing. He was taken to the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital's branch in Dong Anh District on Friday and tested positive for the COVID-19.

The 51^st patient is a 22-year-old woman from Ha Noi’s Bac Tu Liem District. She was studying in Europe.

Since March 11, she reported a fever and coughing.

She returned to Viet Nam on Friday (March 13) on Flight QR968 and was taken to the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital's branch in Dong Anh District as soon as she landed at Noi Bai International Airport.

The 52^nd patient is a 24-year-old woman from Ha Long City, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. On March 9, she flew from London to Viet Nam. On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, she caught a taxi to her hometown and then reportedly self-isolated at home.

Her sample taken in Quang Ninh Province tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on Friday.

The 53^rd patient is a 53-year-old man from the Czech Republic. He arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City on flight QR970 on Tuesday after transiting at Doha Airport (Qatar). When in the Czech Republic, he said he met Italian people. In Viet Nam, he resided in HCM City’s District 1.

On Friday, the patient went to HCM City Traditional Medicine Hospital with symptoms of dry coughing and fatigue. His X-ray result shows that he had pneumonia, so he was isolated and transferred to HCM City Tropical Diseases Hospital where he tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

All four patients are in a stable condition, according to the Ministry of Health.

Vietnamese patients are being treated free of charge through the COVID-19 prevention and control fund. Foreigners infected with SARS-CoV-2 would have to cover their treatment fees but quarantine and testing fees will be free of charge, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting on Friday.

Among 37 COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment in Viet Nam, 13 are foreigners.

Source: VNS