Northern border controls have been tightened after a suspected coronavirus person illegally crossed into Vietnam from China, raising concerns about a possible spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus among the community.

Border controls are tightened to prevent illegal crossings into Vietnam 

The woman was said to enter Cao Bang province which borders China via an open crossing on May 28. She then travelled to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City where she was stopped and transferred to HCM City Hospital of Tropical Diseases on May 29.

The first Realtime PCR test the same day showed the woman was negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. She was tested for the second time on June 1 and the results are set to come out the following day.

If the results come back negative again, she is set to be transferred to Cu Chi field hospital for a 14-day quarantine period according to regulations.  

The Ministry of Defence has proposed that border provinces intensify border controls at trails and opening crossings to prevent any illegal entry into Vietnam.

Though the COVID-19 is under control in Vietnam, experts have warned the risk of virus transmission remains high in the country. One of the sources of infection comes from those who illegally enter the country from overseas via trails and open crossings.

Last month, a man managed to cross the south-western border into Vietnam’s Tay Ninh province from Cambodia. He only came to a police station after being persuaded by his relatives. Luckily, the man tested negative and received discharge from hospital recently.

According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam reported no new community infections for the past 24 hours, keeping its tally unchanged at 328.   

As many as 293 COVID-19 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospital, making up nearly 90% of the total.

The remaining 35 patients are receiving treatment at 6 health facilities, with nearly 20 having tested negative at least once.