Vietnam’s capital city puts 11,000 residents of a village under lockdown

The government of Ha Noi city has locked down an entire village of 2,937 households in the outlying Me Linh District in an attempt effort to contain coronavirus, health ministry said.

The Ha Loi village, which was reported to have related to patient No. 243, aged 47, will be closed to people from outside. Authorities require people to stay at home for two weeks after a citizen was confirmed with the virus on April 7.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung told a recent meeting that the patient was not put under quarantine in time.

The patient accompanied his wife for a medical checkup at Bach Mai hospital on March 12. The hospital has become the country’s biggest epidemic cluster with over 40 confirmed cases.

After visiting the hospital, he met several people in the village. He could have met directly over 100 people (F1). Over 200 (F2) others met people who had met the patient.

The city’s government asked local authorities to ensure food supply for the villagers daily.

Earlier, in February, Vietnam locked down Son Loi village with 10,600 people in the northern province of Vinh Phuc for 21 days after several people of the village tested positive with the virus.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said the lockdown of Son Loi was a right decision that prevents the spread of the virus in the community.

As of 6 PM, April 8, Vietnam has confirmed 251 coronavirus-infected cases, including 126 recovered patients, Ministry of Health said.