HÀ NỘI — Two nurses from Hà Nội-based Bạch Mai Hospital have become the first medical workers in Việt Nam to test positive for SARS-CoV-2, said the Ministry of Health on Friday afternoon.

They are the 86th and 87th COVID-19 patients in Việt Nam.

Their samples were tested by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).

The 86th patient is a 54-year-old female nurse. She went to Côn Đảo Island with her family on March 6 on flight VN7209 from Hà Nội to HCM City and then VN8059 from HCM City to Côn Đảo.

She came back to Hà Nội on March 8 but could not remember the flight number.

She was back at work on March 9 and did not have any symptoms.

She felt a tightness across her chest on March 11, but no coughing or difficulty breathing. She went to the Cardiovascular Institute under Bạch Mai Hospital on March 11 for high blood pressure. She wore a face mask during her treatment.

After confirming she had close contact with the 87th patient as they met each other in the elevator, had lunch and a nap together, she was tested on March 19 and the results were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

She was put into quarantine at 11pm on Thursday at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No 2 in Đông Anh District.

The NIHE’s test on Friday afternoon confirmed that she was positive for the disease.

The 87th patient is a female, 34-year-old nurse. She works at the reception of the Tropical Diseases Centre’ quarantine area under Bạch Mai Hospital.

On March 18, she had symptoms of tiredness, coughing, high temperature and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by the Bạch Mai Hospital.

She was put into quarantine at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No 2 in Đông Anh District.

Her samples then were tested by the NIHE and they were positive for the virus.

The Tropical Diseases Centre confirmed they have sufficient protective clothing and equipment.

She has worked here since the beginning of last month.

She works to input information of patients undergoing health examinations at the quarantine area into the computer.

Reports from Bạch Mai Hospital showed that the Tropical Diseases Centre received and screened patients with respiratory diseases.

All suspected cases for COVID-19 were moved to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases and no one tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 so far.

All people in contact with the 86th and 87th patients have also been quarantined. The affected areas were sterilised.

Patients of the Tropical Diseases Centre were moved to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases to continue their treatment. — VNS