Health

Health Ministry warns of risks of COVID-19 outbreaks

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has warned of the potential risk of COVID-19 outbreaks due to the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Health Ministry warns of risks of COVID-19 outbreaks ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: vneconomy.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Health (MoH)has warned of the potential risk of COVID-19 outbreaks due to the emergence of newvariants of SARS-CoV-2.

According to the ministry, the COVID-19 pandemic has been still under controlwhen the daily number of new cases stands at double digits. For two consecutiveweeks, Vietnam has not recorded COVID-19 related fatality. Among the severe patientsbeing treated, there is no case requiring mechanical ventilation.

Regarding the XBB.1.5 sub-variant of Omicron recently discoveredin the US, the ministry said documents from the World Health Organisation (WHO)showed that the XBB.1.5 sub-variant was the cause behind the increase of COVID-19 infectionsin the US. This sub-variant has been detected in Europe, Australia andparts of Southeast Asia.

Angela Pratt, Chief Representative of WHO in Vietnam, said current diagnosticand protective measures remain in place, including WHO-approved COVID-19vaccines, she said.

The MoH requested localities to enhance surveillance at border gates, public areas and medicalestablishments to swiftly detect and timely handle suspected cases,especially those entering from areas which record COVID-19 outbreaks and appearanceof new variants.

Localities andmedical facilities have also been required to coordinate with hygiene and epidemiologyinstitutes, and hospitals that have the ability to identify new variants to takesamples for testing and research, thus assessing risks.

Specialised units have been asked to regularly assess and analyse thesituation and risk factors, thus proactively developing scenarios and responseplans to all possible situations.

Vice Director of the MoH’s PreventiveMedicine Department Nguyen Luong Tam on January 15 inspected theCOVID-19 pandemic at Lao Cai international border gate in the northern mountainousprovince of Lao Cai.

The provincial Department of Health was demanded to strictlyimplement directives of the MoH, and soon give advices to the provincial People'sCommittee on approving the plan for COVID-19 prevention and control in 2023,and enhancing communication activities at border gates to raise awareness ofpandemic prevention among people and tourists./. 

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