HCMC records 2 more Omicron infections linked to US entrant

By Le Phuong   January 23, 2022 | 08:49 pm PT
HCMC records 2 more Omicron infections linked to US entrant
A medical worker analyzes coronavirus samples at a laboratory in HCMC in 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa
Three more people in HCMC have been found infected with the Omicron strain of Covid-19, including a woman returning from the U.S.

The U.S. entrant, 41, had flown from the U.S. on Jan. 7 and landed at Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa Province.

She had a meal with three relatives before she knew about her infection, and they tested positive for Omicron on Jan. 18. The three are a 35-year-old man living in Binh Chanh District, a 31-year-old woman in District 11 and a 48-year-old woman in Go Vap District.

The U.S. returnee tested positive for Omicron over the weekend.

Authorities contact traced and tested 11 people who had come into close contact with the three relatives, and so far two have tested positive for Omicron.

One of them is a 25-year-old man who is a cousin of the infected woman in District 11 and working as a guard at the building where the U.S. entrant is staying in Binh Thanh District. The other is a 29-year-old man who lives with the infected woman in District 11 and works as an ER doctor at a city hospital.

All have received at least two shots of vaccines and are in stable condition.

The U.S. entrant had received three Pfizer vaccine shots in the U.S., tested negative before leaving and quarantined at a hotel in Nha Trang Town.

She tested negative again at the hotel on Jan. 9.

On the 10th she flew to HCMC by Vietnam Airlines flight VN1345, was received by her relatives at the airport and they ate at a restaurant before going home.

On Jan. 13 the woman began to cough and have a sore throat.

Her relatives also had similar symptoms the next day, and all tested positive for Covid.

Dr Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, deputy director of the city Department of Health, said Monday that everyone should continue to strictly follow protocols on Covid prevention, regardless of their vaccination status.

They include wearing a mask, disinfecting hands and social distancing, and are the way to avoid contracting the coronavirus, he said.

"Omicron incubation period is short and it can spread easily, but it cannot go through your face mask or live if you wash your hands properly."

Vietnam has so far found 139 Omicron cases, all imported except for the five.

 
 
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