About 1,800 staff members of a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City have been tested for the novel coronavirus after a COVID-19 patient had visited the infirmary prior to his diagnosis.

The tests were conducted by the Pasteur Institute and southern office of the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology at 175 Military Hospital in Go Vap District on Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Given the complicated development of the pandemic, the city’s administration previously ordered the testing of all doctors, nurses, and employees of 175 Military Hospital

As of Tuesday morning, 1,779 samples at 175 Military Hospital have tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

A health worker is being tested for COVID-19 at 175 Military Hospital in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, February 8, 2021. Photo: Tran Chinh / Tuoi Tre

Patient No. 1,979, an employee at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, had come to the infirmary twice before being confirmed as a COVID-19 patient on February 6.

All of his direct contacts have been tracked, quarantined, and tested for COVID-19.

Following the detection of patient No. 1,979, a total of 29 local infections, including his four colleagues, were documented in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday and Monday.

Authorities in the southern metropolis have locked down 18 locations in seven districts linked to these patients.

COVID-19 tests are performed at 175 Military Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, February 8, 2021. Photo: Tran Chinh / Tuoi Tre

On Monday evening, Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong ordered the shutdown of all movie theaters, massage parlors, karaoke parlors, game centers, bars, beer clubs, discos, and wedding centers from noon on Tuesday until further notice.

Gas stations, essential retail stores, pharmacies and medical facilities will maintain normal operations, but with pandemic prevention rules strictly applied.

Vietnam has documented 2,053 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, with 1,472 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

COVID-19 tests are performed at 175 Military Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, February 8, 2021. Photo: Tran Chinh / Tuoi Tre

Health workers put on protective clothing before collecting samples of doctors and nurses at 175 Military Hospital for COVID-19 testing on February 8, 2021. Photo: Tran Chinh / Tuoi Tre

A health worker puts on protective clothing before collecting samples of doctors and nurses at 175 Military Hospital for COVID-19 testing on February 8, 2021. Photo: Tran Chinh / Tuoi Tre

Health workers take a break during COVID-19 testing process at 175 Military Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, February 8, 2021. Photo: Tran Chinh / Tuoi Tre

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