Police investigates flight attendant for breaching quarantine rules

Deputy Director of the HCMC Police Nguyen Sy Quang was quoted as saying that the investigation is being carried out in accordance with Article 240 of the Criminal Code.

The flight attendant is a 28-year-old man who returned to Viet Nam from Japan on November 14 and was sent to a concentrated quarantine facility managed by the national flag carrier Viet Nam Airlines in Ho Chi Minh City from November 14-18.

During his stay in the concentrated quarantine facility, he came in contact with a person who was then confirmed as patient 1,325, making it the first Covid-19 cross-infection in a concentrated quarantine facility in Viet Nam, said Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

After two negative Covid-19 tests at the facility, he was allowed to go home for self-isolation at No. 50, Bach Dang Street, Ward 2, Binh Thanh District.

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During his home isolation, he had contacts with his mothers and two friends, including the English teacher.

The flight attendant tested positive for Covid-19 on November 29 and became patient numbered 1,342.

His friend, the teacher, was confirmed positive the following day and became patient 1,347. The teacher spread the virus to his nephew and his student.

Preliminary epidemiological investigation showed that the teacher taught English at KEY English language center at No. 59, Nguyen Ba Tuyen Street, Ward 12, Tan Binh District and other centers in District 10. He also went to coffee shops and a karaoke parlor.

Speaking at a meeting on Monday evening, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long urged the HCMC Department of Health to quickly identify all F1 and F2 people and place them under concentrated quarantine.

Long also asked the Municipal Department of Health to inform those who had visited the relevant English centers, coffee shops and karaoke parlor to immediately contact the nearest medical establishment for advice.

All staff working at the coffee shops and karaoke parlor must be tested and self-isolate at home, Long ordered.

All the medical establishments in HCMC must raise levels of vigilance and strictly implement measures to prevent infections in these facilities.

The Ministry of Health-the standing body of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control demanded the Viet Nam Airlines seriously inspect the implementation of preventive measures at its quarantine facilities./.

By Huong Giang