Saigon partially blocks foreigner-packed Bui Vien neighboorhood alley over COVID-19 case
Monday, March 16, 2020, 08:49 GMT+7
Ho Chi Minh City authorities have partially locked down an alley in a bustling neighborhood packed with foreigners after a European was confirmed as Vietnam’s 54th patient to go down with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the weekend.
Officials in Pham Ngu Lao Ward in District 1 have cooperated with the municipal Center for Disease Control in fumigating alley No. 40 on Bui Vien Street and restricting exit and entry there.
Pham Ngu Lao is home to what is known as the bustling ‘backpacker area,’ where foreigners form a diverse community. The place is often crowded with both locals and international tourists, especally at night.
A Latvian, born in 1987, once stayed in this alley before he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Sunday.
The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed his diagnosis on Sunday night, the 54th case in Vietnam.
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| Alley No. 40 on Bui Vien Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is locked down because a COVID-19 patient once stayed here. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
Militia and police officers were deployed to the alley for the partial lockdown on Sunday afternoon.
Restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs along Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham, and Do Quang Dau Streets have been closed, in line with an order by city officials.
The municipal administration has shuttered all cinemas, clubs and bars, massage parlors, karaoke shops, and online game centers since 6:00 pm on Sunday to prevent the COVID-19 spread. The closure will expire at the end of March 31.
A benefactor and the Pham Ngu Lao Ward women’s union distributed free face masks to residents of the backpacker area on Sunday afternoon in a bid to curb the viral disease.
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| Militia officers guard alley No. 40 on Bui Vien Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City as a COVID-19 patient once stayed there. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
The Latvian patient has visited Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, located in the southern part of the country, with no pre-existing conditions.
On March 8, he and his wife, born in 1988, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on board flight TK162 from Spain.
He boarded flight QH1521 to fly to Phu Quoc on March 9 and stayed at La Nube Residence until March 13.
He flew back to Ho Chi Minh City aboard flight QH1524 on Friday and stayed at hotels in District 1 and District 4.
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| A restaurant has been closed in the 'backpacker area' in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
At 4:00 pm on Saturday, he showed symptoms of a fever and went to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for a check.
His test returned positive the same day.
His sample was then sent to the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City for confirmation.
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| Face masks are distributed for free to residents of the 'backpacker area' in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, March 15, 2020. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
Health authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are calling for all passengers on board the flights TK162, QH1521, and QH1524 to contact local medical centers or dial 0869577133 for help.
Those in contact with the passengers are advised to get in touch with the nearest healthcare facilities for a check and further assistance.
Vietnam has announced 57 COVID-19 cases so far, with 16 having fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital by February 26.
The 41 active cases, having been confirmed since March 6, include 17 foreigners – mostly Europeans – and 24 Vietnamese.
The Southeast Asian country treats Vietnamese patients for free.
It has announced that foreign patients have to pay for their treatment although their testing and quarantine fees are still waived.
No mortality has been reported in Vietnam to date.
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