Five more people, including two foreign nationals, have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus after they landed in Vietnam from overseas, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). 

Testing specimens for SARS-CoV-2 in the lab. (Photo: MoH)

An Indian expert, 37, entered Vietnam from India via Tan Son Nhat International Airport on November 21.

He tested positive for the virus on November 24 and was transferred to Cu Chi field hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for medical observation and treatment.

The other foreign national, a 23-year-old expert from the Republic of Korea, also landed in Vietnam from his native country via the same airport on the same day.

He also tested positive on November 24 and was taken to Cu Chi field hospital for treatment.

The three remaining Vietnamese citizens tested positive after returning from France and the RoK.

All the five new cases were placed in quarantine as soon as they landed in Vietnam, thus posing no risk to the community, the MoH said in its 18.00hrs update.

Earlier on November 24 the MoH confirmed four new imported cases of coronavirus in Vietnam, including two Indian experts.  

Vietnam has so far recorded a total of 1,321 COVID-19 cases, including 691 locally transmitted cases and 630 imported cases.

As many as 1,153 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. The death toll caused by COVID-19 and related illnesses remains at 35.