The Ho Chi Minh City Disease Control Center (HCDC) on October 27 said they have tracked down and quarantined 38 people linked to a Korean national who tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Japan several days ealier.

29 out of 38 F1 cases are tested negative for the virus with the real-time PCR
method while the other nine are waiting for their results. (Illustrative photo).

The Korean man in question left HCM City for Japan on October 24 and his saliva sample was taken for a rapid antigen test after he landed at Narita International Airport, Chiba, the same day. Test results proved he had contracted the virus.

Earlier, the Korean citizen entered Vietnam on July 29 and finished his mandatory quarantine in Hanoi on August 16.

From September 29 to October 24, he worked and stayed in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the HCDC, before leaving for Japan, the man had not conducted any conclusive real-time PCR test in Vietnam. An epidemiological investigation showed that he had not come into contact with any COVID-19 patient before.

The center has moved to quarantine 38 people in close contact with the COVID-19 case. 29 of them have already tested negative for the virus with the real-time PCR method while the other nine are waiting for their results.