Vietnam’s first coronavirus outbreak in 99 days spreads fear, anxiety
- Vietnam was an early success story in the global fight against coronavirus but a wave of new infections from an unknown source has panicked residents
- The outbreak, centred on Da Nang, ended more than three months with no community transmission – but swift action could help stamp it out
“All non-essentials are closed. Beaches are also closed. My parents live in Lien Chieu District where several positive cases were found so they are being on high alert,” she said, adding that her family is armed with face masks and hand sanitisers for whenever they need to venture out.
On Friday morning, the country confirmed 45 more coronavirus cases in Da Nang, the country’s biggest single-day jump in cases. The patients are linked to three hospitals and two clinics in the city. Vietnam now has a total of 509 confirmed virus cases, with 369 having recovered and 140 under treatment.
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Virus-free for months, Vietnam braces for latest wave of Covid-19
Diem Nguyen, a single mother who works at an art studio in Ho Chi Minh City, said she was fearful for herself and her two daughters after they recently returned from a three-day holiday in Hoi An near Da Nang.