WHO: hybrid coronavirus variant in Vietnam is not considered a new variant

WHO’s Vietnam representative mentions the hybrid coronavirus variant detected in Vietnam is not different enough to be considered a new variant.  

According to THE STRAITS TIMES, a coronavirus variant which the Vietnam authorities thought was a combination of the strains first detected in Britain and in India is not a new hybrid, but part of the existing strain first found in India, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) representative in Vietnam told Nikkei.

Vietnam reported 250 new Covid-19 cases on June3, including 231 locally transmitted and 19 imported, raising the total tally to 8,063, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. 

Among the community cases, 145 were detected in the northern epidemic hot spot of Bac Giang province, 44 in the nearby northern Bac Ninh province, 30 in the southern Ho Chi Minh City, and six in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Statement of Dr Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Vietnam.. Image courtesy of WHO.

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THE STRAITS TIMES says, most of them are contacts of previously confirmed cases or linked to the clusters of infections in the localities. The imported cases include foreigners and Vietnamese citizens who recently entered the country from abroad and were quarantined upon arrival.

In the past few days, large-scale coronavirus testing was conducted in several localities, including in Bac Giang province, Bac Ninh province and Ho Chi Minh City, mainly among workers at industrial parks, to screen asymptomatic infections.

THE STRAITS TIMES says, Vietnam will resume international flights to its two biggest cities, officials said, reversing a short-lived ban imposed over fears of a new coronavirus wave.

A coronavirus variant which the Vietnam authorities thought was a combination of the strains first detected in Britain and in India is not a new hybrid, but part of the existing strain first found in India. Image courtesy of Reuters.

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The country’s Covid-19 cases have more than doubled in the past month, prompting bars, restaurants and schools to close and a rush to secure vaccines. 

As the country struggled to contain a virus outbreak in more than half of its territories, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam had on May 31 announced a temporary suspension for international passenger arrivals at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport till next Monday. 

A similar order was in force for the airport in commercial capital Ho Chi Minh City until June 14.