Hanoi (VNA) – Despite the ongoing global circulation and unpredictable developments of SARS-CoV-2, the World Health Organisation (WHO) hasn’t issued new warnings about COVID-19, said the Ministry of Health.
The Department of Disease Prevention under the Ministry of Health on May 26 held a working session with WHO, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, the Pasteur institutes, and major hospitals specialising in tropical and pediatric diseases to assess current COVID-19 risks.
According to the ministry, although the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains in circulation and its trajectory is uncertain, WHO has not released any new warnings about COVID-19 on the global level. In Vietnam, an increase in infections is possible, yet current data suggest that this may not translate into a corresponding rise in severe cases due to the nature of circulating variants.
Since the start of 2025, Vietnam has recorded 641 COVID-19 cases scattering across 39 provinces and cities, with no reported fatalities. Hanoi leads with 153 cases, followed by Hai Phong (138), Ho Chi Minh City (80), Quang Ninh (46), Bac Giang (24), Bac Ninh (24), and Thai Nguyen (23). Thirty-two other localities have seen fewer than 20 cases each.
No major outbreaks or clusters have been recorded. However, a slight upward trend has been observed over the past three weeks. Notably, the National Children’s Hospital has seen a higher number of COVID-related hospital admissions in May, primarily from Hanoi and neighbouring provinces.
Genomic sequencing conducted by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), revealed that variant NB.1.8.1 accounted for the majority of COVID-19 cases admitted to this hospital during the third week of May.
Experts attending the Health Ministry meeting pointed out that COVID-19 remains an endemic disease globally, with rising transmission rates and localised surges reported in several countries, including regional neighbours such as China, Thailand, and Singapore.
To date, no evidence has indicated that current variants are causing more severe symptoms compared to previous waves. WHO has not issued any new global alerts.
With the summer travel season approaching, increased movement and large gatherings at tourist and public sites may raise the risk of transmission domestically. However, current variants do not appear to be leading to a surge in serious cases.
As of May 25, 2025, more than 777 million COVID-19 infections and over 7 million related deaths had been reported worldwide. In Asia, a rise in cases and hospital admissions has been witnessed in several countries, but health systems in these locations remain stable and capable of responding.
Since early 2025, SARS-CoV-2 variants have continued to evolve. Variant LP.8.1 emerged as the dominant strain around mid-March though its prevalence is now waning. In its place, NB.1.8.1, classified by WHO as a variant under monitoring (VUM), has been gaining ground. This variant accounted for 10.7% of global sequences analysed in mid-May. Despite its high transmissibility, NB.1.8.1 has not demonstrated increased public health risk when compared to other circulating variants.
First identified earlier this year, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in at least 23 countries, including Singapore, the US, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Canada, the UK, China, Japan, and Thailand.
WHO assessments suggest that the overall impact of COVID-19 on public health has decreased during 2023 and 2024. However, SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and develop unpredictably, requiring ongoing vigilance. WHO has not changed its assessment regarding the global risk posed by the virus.
In response to the evolving situation, the Ministry of Health has proactively coordinated with WHO and relevant domestic agencies to assess risks and implement appropriate disease prevention and control measures.
The ministry has requested local health departments to intensify surveillance and implement control measures at both healthcare facilities and in the community. Enhanced cooperation with the regional institutes of hygiene and epidemiology and Pasteur institutes has also been emphasised to ensure timely and efficient response based on continuous risk assessment.
Hospitals and medical units are instructed to collect samples, especially from patients with severe symptoms, for testing and genome sequencing to monitor the spread and evolution of the virus.
The Ministry of Health affirms its commitment to working closely with WHO and other relevant stakeholders to stay updated on global developments and adapt national strategies accordingly to protect public health./.
