Ho Chi Minh City suspends operations of restaurants, entertainment services

The Vietnam biggest city’s prompt action was expected help curbing the spread of coronavirus, according to the Department of Culture and Sports’ proposal approved by the city’s government.

Earlier, the city government ordered to shut down all entertainment facilities including massage parlors, karaoke, bar, restaurant, and cinema.

Vietnamese health officials have recently found several coronavirus patients who had visited Buddha Bar in the city’s district 2. At least three foreign nationals who were tested positive with the virus had been to the bar.

The country has reported five more COVID-19 infection cases, including two foreign nationals, bringing the total to 123.

Tally hits 123

Patient 119 is a 29-year old American man living in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. He works for BCG financial consultancy company at No. 39, Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward in District 1.

He travelled between Vietnam and Indonesia and Thailand between March 1-15. After returning to Vietnam, he went to several places for eating, entertainment and sport activities.

On March 19, he got fever and sore throat and went for medical checks the following day at FV hospital where he was hospitalized for quarantine, diagnosis and treatment.

Patient 120 is a Canadian man, aged 27, living in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City. He had been in close contact with a previously announced patient (No. 91).

He flew from Canada to Vietnam on February 11 and went to several places, including Buddha Bar with the 91st patient. He was taken to a centralized quarantine facility on March 19 and got fever and cough two days later.

The man is being treated at Cu Chi field hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Patient 121 is a 58-year old man from Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The man and his wife were passengers on ANA flight NH831 from New York, the US to Ho Chi Minh City on March 19 after transiting in Japan's Narita airport.

The couple were sent to quarantine facility in Can Gio District. On March 20, the man got fever but no cough or shortness of breath. After being tested positive for the virus, he was moved to a medical center in Can Gio for treatment.

Of total infection cases in Vietnam so far, 17 had been cleared of the virus and exited hospitals while all the current patients have been reported since March 6.

Patient 122 is a 22-year old woman from Can Loc District of the central province of Ha Tinh.

On March 17, she travelled to Bangkok, Thailand to visit her countryman and was in contact with many others who did not wear masks.

She landed at Da Nang airport on March 20 and was then taken to a centralized quarantine facility in the city. She was confirming having the virus on the following day.

Patient 123 is a 17-year old female adolescent residing in Binh Dai District of the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre.

She had been living in Malaysia for the past 3-4 months. On March 17, she travelled to Bandar Seri Begawa, Brunei and flew to Ho Chi Minh City the same day and then went to her home town for self-isolation.

► Buddha Bar's Canadian guest among three latest coronavirus patients in Vietnam

► Two British men tested with coronavirus after visting Buddha Bar, Vietnam's infections hit 99

► Vietnam reports third medical worker contracting coronavirus, total hits 116

Source: VGP