The Ministry of Health has announced the implementation of preventive measures and controls from the evening of December 27 after confirming the first case of the Omicron variant, which is a passenger returning from the UK.
On December 28, the Ministry of Health issued a notification regarding the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant in Vietnam.
Specifically, on December 19, 2021, the Central Military Hospital 108 received passenger K.V.H.M. on a flight from the UK to Vietnam. Upon arriving at Noi Bai Airport (on the evening of December 19), Mr. M. tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a rapid test.
This is the first case of the Omicron variant confirmed in Vietnam.
He was transported by specialized vehicle from the airport to the quarantine area for Covid-19 cases at Central Military Hospital 108 and was isolated in a private room in the accommodation area. The hospital’s molecular biology department conducted an RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, resulting in a positive result with a CT value of 16.52.
On December 20, the hospital performed genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infecting this patient using next-generation sequencing technology with Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT), and the results indicated a suspected infection with the Omicron variant.
However, since the Omicron variant contains up to 36 mutations in the spike protein, including some point mutations and deletions, the results from this sequencing were not yet clear. Therefore, on December 21, the hospital proceeded to collect samples and re-sequence for patient M.
The results confirmed that the patient carries the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) with 34 mutations on the spike protein.
This is the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant in our country from an incoming traveler, who was isolated and managed promptly upon entry.
The Ministry of Health (the standing agency of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control) has reported this case to the Prime Minister and continues to closely monitor the situation regarding the outbreak and the new Omicron variant in Vietnam.
The Omicron variant was first reported by South Africa to the WHO on November 24 and was classified as a variant of concern just two days later. This variant has dozens of mutations, some of which are believed to enable the virus to spread more easily and evade the immune system. To date, over 100 countries worldwide have reported cases of Omicron.
