UPDATE: 31 more locally transmitted coronavirus cases over six hours

More coronavirus infections are expected in Vietnam in the coming days as they are closely linked to the outbreaks at two centrally-run hospitals in Hanoi.

Twelve cases were reported at Hanoi-based National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No.2, said the MoH in its 12.00hrs update on May 10. Among them were a healthcare worker, eight patients and three relatives of patients.

Three new cases were detected at Hanoi’s K cancer Hospital No2, a fresh coronavirus hotspot in the city.

Seven others tested positive after having got in close contact with COVID-19 patients, said the MoH.

Elsewhere, the northern province of Bac Giang, a gateway to Hanoi, documented seven cases that had come into close contact with COVID-19 patients.

Epidemiologists also confirmed one case each in Hai Duong, Da Nang and Hoa Binh.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread to 26 cities and provinces across the country following its emergence on April 28.

As many as 442 cases have been confirmed nationwide, with more than 100 cases in Hanoi alone, mostly at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No.2, and K cancer hospital No2 which remain under lockdown.

Cases detected in other localities were closely linked to clusters of infection at the two hospitals.

The same day, MoH also announced that a Pakistani expert has been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV- 2 virus after entering Vietnam on May 8.

The patient, 35, boarded flight EK392 from the United Arab Emirates to Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and was placed in quarantine upon his arrival.