The source of infection of the Nghe An patient who was found to have Covid-19 while passing through Laos is unknown.

On the afternoon of May 25, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Director of Nghe An Department of Health said that medical staff are actively investigating the epidemic, tracing all those who have been in contact with Mr. Pham Van L. (34 years old, in Dien Bich commune, Dien Chau) in the past 21 days to find the source of infection for this patient. Mr. L. was found to have Covid-19 right after entering the country through Laos.

"Currently, we still have no hypothesis about the source of this patient's infection. Therefore, we have to review the patient's journey over the past 21 days, the places the patient has been to, and the people the patient has come into contact with to find the source of the infection," said Mr. Chinh.

According to epidemiological investigation, on the afternoon of May 19, Mr. L. went to the Nghe An CDC for a Covid-19 test to complete procedures to go to Laos. The results showed that he was negative for Covid-19.

On the evening of May 20, he boarded a bus to Dien Bien and then crossed into Laos via Tay Trang Border Gate at 11:30 p.m. on May 21. In Laos, he was immediately quarantined and tested on the morning of May 22. The results showed that Mr. L. was positive for Covid-19.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh (right), was present in Dien Bich commune to direct epidemic prevention. Photo: TH

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh, although the epidemic situation in Dien Bien province is very complicated, the probability of Mr. L. being infected along the way as well as being infected in Dien Bien is very small. Because according to experts, it takes at least 36 hours for a patient to develop the disease from the time of infection. As for Mr. L., from the time he got on the bus in Dien Chau until his sample was taken in Laos, it was less than 36 hours.

Therefore, it is not possible to rule out the possibility that the patient was infected in the community right in Nghe An province. "If this hypothesis is true, it is very dangerous," said the head of Nghe An Health Department.

After an urgent meeting regarding this case, the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An province decided that starting from 6 p.m. on May 25, the entire Dien Bich commune will practice social distancing in accordance with Directive 15 of the Prime Minister./.