Health

HCM City reports COVID-19 cases hike

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health reported on January 24 that the city's infectious disease surveillance system has detected the emergence of sub-variant JN.1 of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in hospitalised patients in December last year in the locality.
HCM City reports COVID-19 cases hike ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: nhandan.vn)
HCMCity (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health reported onJanuary 24 that the city's infectious disease surveillance system has detectedthe emergence of sub-variant JN.1 of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in hospitalised patients inDecember last year in the locality.

JN.1 is a sub-variant from the BA.2.86 variantof Omicron classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "variantof Interest” (VOI), which is the cause of the increasing number of cases anddeaths in some countries.

According to data from the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) from December 18, 2023, to January 22, 2024, local hospitals treated94 COVID-19 cases from the city and several adjacent localities. Among thein-patients, 17 severe cases require supplemental oxygen.  All the severe cases involve individuals in the high-risk group with serious underlying diseases, and have not been vaccinated with enough COVID-19 vaccine doses followinginstructions from the Ministry of Health.

Notably, the number of hospitalised cases at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Tropical Diseases due to the pandemic has increasedin the last six weeks.

Themunicipal Department of Health said the JN.1 sub-variant appeared in the cityafter the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) reported it as the fastest growing variant and dominate in theUS in December last year.

In December 2023, nearly 10,000 deaths fromCOVID-19 were reported worldwide while the number of hospitalised cases surged42% from the previous month. New variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus havecontinuously mutated, and sub-variant JN.1 is spreading rapidly around theglobe, according to WHO.

In Vietnam, the northern region is now in thetransitional period between winter and spring, when cold and dry weather isalternated with wet weather, triggering infectious diseases, especiallyrespiratory ones.

It warned that the coming Lunar New Year(Tet) holidays and spring festive season, when trading and travel demandsurges, along with abnormal weather changes are favourable conditions fordiseases to spread, particularly among children with weak immunity and theelderly with comorbidities, who are more vulnerable to infectiousdiseases.

The municipal Department of Health advised residents to takemeasures to protect themselves, their families and the community, includingwearing a mask in medical facilities and crowded places or when havingrespiratory symptoms, regularly washing hands with soap or hand sanitiser, and rinsingmouth and throat with mouthwash.

People, especially those in at-risk groups, are recommended to get booster shots against COVID-19./.
VNA
#infectious disease surveillance system #HCM City #COVID-19 cases hike #COVID-19 #supplemental oxygen #high-risk group #respiratory symptoms #Vietnamplus #Vietnam news #Vietnam News Agency
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

The caregivers’ club in Coc village, Pu Luong commune, the north-central province of Thanh Hoa, has established a livelihood support fund, helping households develop their economies through models such as rice cultivation, vegetable growing, fish farming and poultry raising. (Photo: VNA)

Community-based child nutrition care model benefits Thanh Hoa’s locality

After more than one year of implementation with the support of World Vision, the model has delivered positive outcomes in improving nutrition and enhancing the quality of childcare. Household livelihoods have improved, mothers’ awareness and caregiving skills have been strengthened, and notably, the rate of child malnutrition in Coc has declined markedly.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Duc Hung, Director of Viet Duc University Hospital, presents a token of appreciation in recognition of the noble gesture of the organ donor’s family. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

British teen’s organ donation saves three Vietnamese lives

A 19-year-old British tourist who died during a trip to Vietnam has saved the lives of three Vietnamese patients with end-stage organ failure, in a deeply moving act of compassion. The young woman is the first foreign national to donate organs in Vietnam.

A workshop at the One Health Summit, held in Lyon, France, from April 5 to 7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam backs global One Health commitments at Lyon summit

The MAE welcomed the French Government’s organisation of the One Health Summit, describing it as an important forum to advance global political commitments and strengthen international cooperation in preventing zoonotic diseases.

Ilustrative image (Photo: pngtree.com)

Vietnamese scientists unlock genetic insights into rare diseases

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Biology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and his research team conducted a project titled “Genetic mutation analysis in Vietnamese patients with selected rare diseases using whole-exome sequencing technology.” The project, implemented from 2022 to 2024, aims to clarify the genetic causes of these diseases within the Vietnamese population.

Health workers and residents perform mass wellness exercises, promoting healthy lifestyles in the community. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City targets modern, inclusive healthcare system

On April 5 alone, 58 hospitals and health centres conducted screening programmes across 64 wards and communes, with a focus on outlying areas. Beyond early detection, residents receive consultations, long-term health monitoring guidance, and access to specialised services locally.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, and delegates attend the programme. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Healthy lifestyles, disease prevention highlighted on national health day

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh emphasised the need for consistent and effective implementation of the resolution across the political system, with priorities including refining healthcare policies and institutions, strengthening preventive and grassroots healthcare networks, expanding population health management, promoting early detection, and improving school-based physical education and nutrition.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet (front row, fifth from left), together with delegates, participate in a walk after the launch of All People’s Health Day in Hanoi on April 5. (Photo: VNA)

All People’s Health Day promotes early disease prevention

The launch marked the first year the activity has been implemented in a coordinated manner nationwide. Members of the public were able to visit free screening areas, receive nutritional advice, participate in mass exercise performances, enjoy artistic programmes, and join a walk in response following the ceremony.

Volunteer young doctors are expected to provide free health screenings for around 10,000 residents (Photo: VNA)

Free cancer screening, health checks to benefit 10,000 people in Hanoi

Participants will receive comprehensive health checks through a streamlined one-stop process, including blood pressure measurement, height and weight assessment, BMI and cardiovascular risk evaluation, blood tests, general examinations and specialist consultations in internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics, ophthalmology, ENT, dentistry and oncology. Rapid blood glucose testing and biochemical screening will also be conducted to detect diabetes and metabolic disorders.