A total of 68 out of 127 people who had come into close contact with four COVID-19 foreign tourists have tested negative for the infection, including a driver who had been transporting the patients, according to the Quang Ninh Province Center for Disease Control.

A total of 68 out of 127 people in close contact with four COVID-19 foreign tourists test negative for the infection 

Ninh Van Chu, Director of the Quang Ninh Province Center for Disease Control, said Quang Ninh province has successfully identified 127 cases of people who had close contact with the original four COVID-19 foreign tourists, including crew members, housekeepers, and a driver among others.

Each individual has been put into quarantine or has been instructed to self-isolate by the health authorities in line with regulations set by the Ministry of Health.

Overall, the 127 cases who had come into contact with the tourists had samples taken, with 68 of the results coming back negative, while there is a further wait for the remaining samples.

The news comes after Ha Long city issued a decision on March 8 to lock down four residential areas, hotels, and cruise ships relating to the four COVID-19 infected foreign tourists.

City authorities have also compiled initial medical declarations for approximately 300,000 of the city’s residents.