Quarantine period extended
Patient 2899 in Ha Nam Province and a group of Chinese experts in Yen Bai Province recently tested positive for Coronavirus after completing their 14-day quarantine period. In accordance with regulations, they should have continued to be isolated at home or company for 14 more days. However, they immediately travelled to several places and infected many people.
Dozens of people in Vinh Phuc, Ha Nam, Hung Yen, Yen Bai provinces, Hanoi, and Danang City have been infected with Coronavirus after coming into close contact with the Chinese experts and the man in Ha Nam.
Tran Dac Phu, a senior adviser at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, said it was highly likely that the Chinese experts were cross-infected while they were quarantined at a hotel in Yen Bai Province with some Indian men who were previously confirmed as Covid-19 patients.
"Awareness to follow regulations is still weak. If everyone wore face masks and limited going out then we wouldn't have so many problems. Drinking and going to karaoke bars with friends violated preventive measures," he said.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan has pointed out several shortcomings at a quarantine facility in Yen Bai Province during an inspection including not clearly separating the quarantine area and the administrative area.
Le Thi Hong Van, director of Yen Bai Department of Health, said local agencies were too lax in management so Patient 2899 and the Chinese experts were able to travel to many places without self-isolation. Only three days after being released from the quarantine facility, Patient 2800 already showed symptoms like coughing and having a fever.
