May 7: Vietnam confirms 17 more coronavirus cases, all imported

Vietnam confirmed 17 more people positive with SARS-CoV-2 on Thursday [May 7], all of them are Vietnamese nationals returning from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), taking the tally to 288.

Vietnamese citizens at an airport in UAE on May 2. Photo: Bao Chi

The newest-detected cases are among 297 Vietnamese citizens repatriated on a Vietnam Airlines flight on May 3. This was the first repatriation flight from the Middle East.

At present, 17 Covid-19 patients are under treatment at Bac Lieu Hospital in the southwestern province of Bac Lieu.

Of total 288 cases, 148 are from abroad and they were quarantined after landing in Vietnam while 140 others were found in the community.

New coronavirus infections (red) and convalescents (green) in Vietnam from April 24 to May 7. Source: Ministry of Health

As of May 7, Vietnam has undergone three weeks without new Covid-19 cases of local transmission. 233 Covid-19 patients have returned to normal health.

Since April 14, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has brought back to the country 1,657 citizens. The repatriation gives priority to children under 18, the elderly, the sick, pregnant women, students having no dormitories, and those of special cases.

All the entrants are required to go through mass quarantine at concentrated centers for 14 days. The government of Vietnam offers free-of-charge quarantine, testing, and treatment of Covid-19.