A man in Da Nang has passed away before being confirmed as a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient.

The deceased patient, a 55-year-old man in Hoa Vang District, was previously admitted to Da Nang Hospital on July 23, according to the Ministry of Health.

He had a history of Guillain-barre Syndrome, type-2 diabetes, weak limbs, and required support from a ventilator.

On August 13, he was transferred to the intensive care unit of 199 Hospital, which is under the management of the Ministry of Public Security.

The patient tested negative for the novel coronavirus on August 14.

His second test was conducted on Thursday, but he passed away at 11:55 pm on the same day.

His funeral was then organized, before his second test result came back positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday.

Local authorities suspended the funeral later that day and his body was cremated in accordance with regulations.

However, multiple family members and some neighbors had already attended the funeral and paid respects to the man.

Authorities have screened 74 people including family members and health workers who treated the patient for COVID-19.

COVID-19 tests have also been conducted on 20 others, including two ordinary patients who shared the same room with him at the 199 Hospital and eight of their family members.

Health workers will continue tracing those who came into close contact with the patient and attended his funeral.

The ICU of 199 Hospital, the patient’s house, and other related areas have been disinfected.

This is Vietnam’s 33rd coronavirus-related death.

Vietnam has logged a total of 1,040 COVID-19 patients since the pandemic first hit in January, including 690 local cases, while 677 people have recovered from the disease.

A total of 550 local infections have been reported in the country since July 25, when Da Nang recorded a domestic case after Vietnam had gone 99 days without transmission in the community.

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