The Ministry of Health in the early morning of March 30 confirmed a further six cases of coronavirus, all of them linked to Hanoi-based Bach Mai hospital, bringing the total tally of infection cases to 194.

The six new patients testing positive for the virus are working for Truong Sinh Co. Ltd., that has provided services for Bach Mai – one of the leading general hospitals in Vietnam.

Since the first COVID-19 cases was found at Bach Mai hospital several days ago, the number of infections there has to date risen to 24. 

Bach Mai hospital has been disinfected after a cluster of cases was found

Health authorities on March 28 decided to impose a lockdown on the hospital, aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavirus.

Samples of thousands of hospital staff, patients and their relatives were taken for testing, with most of them coming back negative, while others are awaiting the results.

At an online meeting with the leadership of five centrally-run cities on March 29, the Prime Minister asked Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to brace themselves for a “full isolation” plan after Vietnam’s two largest cities reported two clusters of coronavirus cases.

The same day Ministry of Health announced 14 new coronavirus patients, one of whom was a reporter of Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnam has so far recorded a total of 194 cases, including 24 cases tied to Bach Mai hospital. 25 patients have been discharged from hospital across the country after making a full recovery.

According to the Ministry of Health, 65 patients under treatment at health facilities have tested negative for the virus. Several patients receiving intensive care have shown signs of improvement in their health.