Vietnam reports no cases relating to new covid variant from southern African nations
VOV.VN - Vietnam has not yet detected any cases infected with the new coronavirus variant Omicron in some southern African countries, the Ministry of Health said on November 28.
With the appearance of the new covid variant in some South African countries, the Ministry of Health has asked the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi and the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City to conduct gene sequencing of suspected new mutant infections, especially cases with an epidemiological history from countries in southern Africa.
The ministry proposed that all air travel to and from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique be suspended, and entry permits for passengers coming from these countries be halted.
Earlier on November 25, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it has recorded a new strain called Omicron (B.1.1.529) detected in several southern African countries.
According to scientists, the Omicron variant was first discovered in Botswana on November 24, with up to 32 mutations in the spike protein. This is the most mutated variant of the novel coronavirus, which is said to spread faster with higher risk of reinfection than other strains.
The same day, the Ministry of Health confirmed 12,936 fresh cases of COVID-19 across 57 provinces and cities nationwide, posting a fall of 120 from the previous day.
Among the newly-detected infections, 7,100 cases were found in the community and eight were imported.
Three localities suffering the highest number of locally-transmitted cases included HCM City with 1,454, followed by Can Tho city with 966 and Binh Duong with 705. The capital city of Hanoi logged 277 new cases.
The Ministry of Health also reported the discharge of 1,712 coronavirus patients, pushing up total number of recoveries to 958,636.
A further 190 fatalities were recorded over the past 24 hours throughout the country, raising the death toll relating to COVID-19 to 24,882.
Vietnam has so far inoculated more than 118.7 million vaccine doses, with more than 49 million people receiving full two doses.
The Ministry of Health continues to finalize the 8th Draft Project on an overall strategy for COVID-19 prevention and control under the direction of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and suggestions from competent agencies.