Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – WHO Representative in Vietnam Dr KidongPark has offered recommendations to Vietnam in face of the emergence ofSARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron which was first detected in South Africa and hasbeen reported in countries and territories worldwide.
Though Vietnam has yet to record any infection related to thenew variant, the Health Ministry said the risk of its entry and transmission inthe country is very high.
In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency, Parkhighlighted a need to prepare for possible transmission cases, strengthen the medicalsystem and mitigate the disruptions of socio-economic and health careactivities.
He said Vietnam should consider several actions such asenhancing inspection over genome sequencing of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and sending complete genome sequences and relevant data to existing publicdatabases such as the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID).
He stressed the high coverage rate of vaccinations and the implementation of the 5K measure, saying the importance is thatall vulnerable groups, including medicalstaff and the elderly, are fully vaccinated.
He proposed Vietnam continue improving medical and public healthcare capacity to ensure smooth combination in patient care, from initial tointensive care, as well as manage the increase in infection cases.
Vietnam needs to provide accurate, timely and transparentinformation for the public and international community about its fight againstthe pandemic, he said.
WHO will continue working closely with the VietnameseGovernment, toward helping the country “safely live with the virus” for a long term,even when other outbreaks could occur in the future. The support will alsocover protecting vulnerable groups and preventing overload in medical services,he added.
According to him, WHO declared B.1.1.529 as a variant of concernand named it Omicron. As of December 5, as many as 45 countries in six regions had reported the emergence of the variant. Initial reports showed that its causedmilder symptoms but it remains too early to confirm. It also takes time to learnabout its transmission risk.
About the risk of reinfection, Park said the information remainlimited and more will come in next days or weeks.
He also informed that WHO is working with technical partners tolearn about Omicron’s potential impacts on vaccines and testing methods,including Realtime RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing./.
