Four Vietnamese people returning from overseas have been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, the Ministry of Health said on January 20.

Strict preventive measures are in place to keep the virus at bay in the community.
(Photo: MoH).

All the new patients flew from the United States to Vietnam, transiting through Hong Kong or the Republic of Korea. One of them is a 10-year-old girl from Ho Chi Minh City.

They all tested positive on January 19 and were transferred to health facilities in HCM City for medical observation and treatment.

They had been placed in quarantine upon their arrival, posing no risk to the community, according to the MoH.

As of 18.00hrs on January 20, Vietnam has confirmed 1,544 coronavirus cases, including 853 imported cases. Those returning from Russia make up one fourth of the imported cases.

To date 1,406 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery. Of the remaining cases, 32 have tested negative at least once.

The number of deaths caused by COVID-19 and related illnesses remains at 35.