Two British COVID-19 patients (No 22 and No 23) leave Đà Nẵng General Hospital in an ambulance. Patient No 22 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in HCM City 18 days after treatment and isolation in Đà Nẵng. Fifty eight people in close contact with the patient tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. — VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — A total of 58 samples taken from people in close contact with COVID-19 patient No 22 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, according to a report from the central city’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) released on Tuesday.

Director of CDC, Doctor Tôn Thất Thạnh, said samples were taken from 58 people in Đà Nẵng as soon as patient No 22 tested positive again in HCM City before leaving for the UK on Monday (April 13). The patient was declared recovered on March 27 before a further 14-day isolation finished on April 10.

Thạnh said even though the results of medical staff, policemen, hotel receptionists, drivers and airport workers were negative, the city is keeping these people for further isolation and tests for two more weeks starting from April 13. These people had close contact with the patient during post-treatment isolation from March 27 to April 10 in Đà Nẵng.

Crew members on flight VN125 (from Đà Nẵng to HCM City on April 10) that carried the two British patients No 22 and 23, and other people with close contact, have been isolated in HCM City, he added.

Đà Nẵng had given treatment to six COVID-19 patients from March 8 to April 10. These patients have been released from hospital. One American and one local woman have been quarantined at home since March 27. One was isolated at home in Hà Tĩnh Province, and another was isolated at HCM City’s Chợ Rẫy Hospital.

Director of the city’s health department, Ngô Thị Kim Yến said the six patients had been treated under strict regulations, guidance and instructions from the health ministry. — VNS