In 2020, with no community transmission of COVID-19 for many consecutive days, Viet Nam’s success was recognized and celebrated nationally and internationally. People started to relax their guard.
“Everyone thought that coronavirus existed elsewhere and was not linked to them, or that it was in China or in Europe or the US, and they would not get infected,” says Ho Vi Dai Nghia, 43, who works in IT in Ho Chi Minh City, is the face behind Viet Nam’s COVID-19 patient number 589.
“Almost everyone had underestimated the risks and forgot about the presence of COVID-19.”
People were overconfident and underestimated the risk, says Mr Nghia, who tested positive as part of a cluster of 551 cases, almost all linked to Da Nang city, that was first identified on 25 July 2020. The outbreak cost the lives of 35 people aged 28 to 93.[1]
Mr Nghia decided to speak out to prevent malicious rumours spreading, and to protect his family and the wider community.
“I posted a status on my Facebook page to let people know about my COVID-19 status, so that they could apply preventive measures.
“I want the community, people around me, the small communities around me, my neighbours or partners or those I meet every day, to have a better understanding of the disease.”
Although a strategy of testing, tracing, isolating cases and other measures, brought the end of the cluster in September 2020, Mr Nghia has a message:
“Don’t underestimate the risk, as the virus can be anywhere.
“People should protect themselves and their family. You shouldn’t think that the virus no longer exists. State agencies have done a good job issuing recommendations, but these recommendations must be complied with by people, by us, by everyone.”
In January 2021, as new cases are discovered, Mr Nghia’s reminder is as relevant as ever.
Watch Mr Nghia talk about his experience
Even when restrictions are lifted, we need to stick to the behaviours that protect ourselves and those around us