Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

The 55th case is a 35-year-old German national who arrived in Hà Nội Saturday morning on flight numbered VN0018.

The patient and all those coming into close contact with him have been sent to the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases for observation and their clinical samples sent to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

The patient was reportedly in a stable condition.

The 56th patient, also a male in his 30s, is from the UK. He boarded a flight from the UK to Hà Nội’s Nội Bài international airport on March 9.

After arrival, he reportedly met two of his female friends (one 28-year-old and one 24-year-old) – who also arrived in Hà Nội from the UK but on a different flight.

The patient registered for one-night stay at Hanoi Paradise Center Hotel on Hàng Vôi Street in the Old Quarter and checked out on March 10.

From March 10-13, the patient went to the mountainous township Sa Pa and stayed at Mountain River Homestay Sâp (Tả Van Commune) and later returned to Hà Nội and stayed at Oriental Suites on Hàng Đào Street.

Hàng Đào Ward’s authorities have obtained the information regarding his stay and put him under quarantine.

Late Saturday, initial tests run by Hà Nội Centre for Disease Control (CDC) return positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and his clinical samples were sent to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for confirmation.

He is currently also being treated at Đông Anh campus of the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases and is reportedly in a stable condition.

Sunday saw the addition of three new positive cases in Việt Nam – all foreigners from European countries.

Việt Nam starting on Saturday imposing a travel ban on all those from or transiting Schengen countries and the UK due to the rising number of cases and deaths in the region.

Hanoi police crack down on Covid-19 epidemic fake news

In order to contain misinformation, Hanoi police have made a list of people fabricating false information about Covid-19 to strictly handle in accordance with regulations.

Hanoi police have taken strong actions to prevent Covid-19 epidemic fake news, Kinh Te & Do Thi newspaper reported.

As the Covid-19 epidemic evolves unpredictably, fabricated news has sprung up out over social networks, creating unnecessary concern and panic among people.

In order to contain misinformation, Hanoi police have made a list of people fabricating false information about Covid-19 to strictly handle in accordance with regulations. As of March 11, 23 cases have been dealt with.

From January 31 to February 14, local police asked 11 individuals to remove fake contents they had posted on Facebook and YouTube. These people were fined up to millions of Vietnamese dong and were forced to commit not to repeat the offense.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Nguyen Khac Hien emphasized that junk news hinders tasks of health authorities and should be prevented so as not to affect the epidemic prevention.

Under the direction of the Hanoi People's Committee, information about the epidemic evolution such as the number infected cases is published promptly on mainstream media. Authorities encourage the people to get updated from official news sources.

Besides, the municipal government recommends people do not share unverified information to avoid causing public confusion.

Hanoi confirmed the first infection on March 6 evening and since then six other cases have been detected in the city. As of March 13, Vietnam reported 47 people positive with the coronavirus. VNS/Hanoitimes

Anh Kiet/Cong Tho