The 32nd COVID-19 infected patient in Việt Nam had her blood tested on Monday. Photo for illustration. — AFP/VNA Photo

HCM CITY — Việt Nam reported its 32nd case of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The 32nd patient, a Vietnamese citizen living in London, returned to Việt Nam on a private jet on Monday.

At the time of arrival, she had a cough but was not suffering a shortness of breath.

The patient was sent to a makeshift hospital in Củ Chi District for quarantine and had a blood sample taken.

She was confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 by HCM City Hospital of Tropical Diseases on Monday night.

The 32nd patient was reported to have met the 17th patient on February 27 at a party in London.

On March 2, noticing a cough, she had a test at a hospital in London and got outpatient treatment. Five days later, on hearing her friend was infected with COVID-19, she returned to the hospital, declared her history of contact, yet was asked to self-quarantine at home without testing.

Việt Nam's 17th patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after returning from Europe, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology confirmed on Friday night.

The Hanoian was reported to have travelled to London (the UK), Milan (Italy) and Paris (France) from February 26 to March 1 before she landed in Hà Nội early morning of March 2. During her stay in Europe, she had contact with many people who showed symptoms of coughing and sneezing.

HCM City Department of Health asked celebrities who had attended fashion events in Milan, Italy and Paris, France to admit themselves to medical facilities for health check-ups and instructions on COVID-19 control and prevention after the 17th patient was revealed to have been at several shows in the two countries with her sister. — VNS