As Vietnam welcomes more humanitarian flights from epidemic-stricken nations, its third wave of COVID-19 infections begins, though all inside quarantine thus far.

Earlier this morning, May 15, the Ministry of Health confirmed that Vietnam has 24 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 312 cases, though the majority of past cases have already recovered and been discharged. The new patients range from 24 to 48 years old.

According to Zing, the 24 patients were passengers on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Moscow, Russia. The flight was part of a series of humanitarian flights that Vietnam has organized to bring home citizens stuck in other nations. It landed at Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh Province at 4:40am (Vietnam time) on May 13.

All 345 passengers, including the confirmed COVID-19 cases, were isolated on arrival so the risk of community transmission is low. The patients have been transferred to the Thai Binh General Hospital and Quang Ninh No. 2 Hospital, while other passengers are under quarantine at facilities in Thai Binh, Quang Ninh and Hai Duong provinces.

Last week, a similar flight from the UAE also landed in Can Tho with 297 guests, 17 of whom tested positive for the novel coronavirus and are being treated at Bac Lieu General Hospital.

Another 4,300 citizens are expected to be repatriated to Vietnam from other countries over the next month.

For the most part, Vietnam’s economy is back to normal as the government has gradually lifted restrictions. Schools have reopened and domestic flights are back in the sky, while most shops and services are back in business.

[Photo via Bao Quoc Te]