Religious sect prosecuted for spreading SARS-CoV-2 virus in HCM City

Police of Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap district have decided to prosecute the Revival Ekklesia Mission Vietnam, a Christian sect, for spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the community.

The police labelled it as a criminal case in a decision issued on May 30 and said the religious sect has been prosecuted on a charge of “spreading dangerous infectious diseases to people”.

Since the first case was detected on May 26, 133 people have so far tested positive for the virus closely linked to the outbreak at the Revival Ekklesia Mission Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Diseases Control (HCDC) said on May 30.

The HCM City Municipal Administration has taken strong measures in an effort to break up this chain of transmission, including cordoning off affected areas, tracking down close contact, and carrying out extensive testing.

Experts fear the number of positive cases associated with the religious sect would increase considerably in the coming days, as positive cases had previously fanned out to many locations, including HCM City’s neighbouring localities. In addition, many have yet to show up for compulsory health declaration.

According to the local investigation agency, this religious sect operates without complying with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, leading to the spread of the disease to many people.