With the latest Covid-19 outbreak spreading quickly, HCMC medical staff had to work day and night to test thousands of people. 

On February 8, after 29 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in a single day, all linked to Tan Son Nhat Airport, health authorities lost no time in deploying pandemic containment and prevention measures. Medical staff in HCMC worked overtime, staying up all night to collect and test samples from staff of the airport and residents in infected areas. From 1:30 p.m. February 8 until the next day, they took samples from over 1,800 people.

"Patient 1979", a 27-year-old baggage handler of the Tan Son Nhat Airport, had visited the Military Hospital 175 before he tested positive for the novel coronavirus, being the first Tan Son Nhat staff diagnosed with Covid-19 in the new outbreak. The hospital was isolated and all people who’d come into contact with him had to be tested.

One medical staff sits cross legged on the floor and naps while another leans against the wall, resting after hours of non-stop work. While people are busy getting ready for the Tet holidays, medical staff are ready to remain at the hospital, instead of celebrating the festival in the company of family and other loved ones.

A plastic stool is used as a headrest as two staff sit on the floor to take a break, beds being ruled out.

Vu Nhu Quynh of the Microbiology Department at the Military Hospital 175 video calls her 5-year-old daughter during a break.

"I don’t mind working overnight. If the test results come out negative, my efforts will be worth it," she said.

When the neighborhood is fast asleep, the lights are still on at Ward 7 Medical Center in District 11.

A medical staff in Ward 7 takes swab samples from a resident in the night.

A tired staff takes a nap at a table while her colleague inserts sample information on to a laptop.

Another staff member takes a break on the steps of the medical center.

All staff have to wear full body protection suits, no matter what the weather.

As of Wednesday morning, the city has recorded 34 local cases, 33 linked to Tan Son Nhat and the other linked to the outbreak in the northern Hai Duong Province. The city had tracked, tested and quarantined 2,276 people who had direct or indirect contact with the patients. Of these 1,363 have tested negative and the rest are awaiting results.

Photos by Tran Chinh, HCMC CDC