Vietnam reports first Omicron infection

A person who recently arrived in Hanoi from the UK has been found infected with the Covid-19 Omicron variant, which is Vietnam's first Omicron infection, the Ministry of Health announced Tuesday.

A person who recently arrived in Hanoi from the UK has been found infected with the Covid-19 Omicron variant, which is Vietnam's first Omicron infection, the Ministry of Health announced Tuesday.

Vietnam reports first Omicron infection. Photo for illustration

According to the Ministry, the person arrived at Noi Bai Airport on the QH9028 flight on December 19. They had positive results for SARS-CoV-2 using quick testing and were sent to the 108 Military Hospital for quarantine and treatment. Here they took another test using RT-PCR method which confirmed their Covid-19 infection.

Genetic sequencing on December 20 and December 21 showed that the person is infected with the Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variant, the ministry said.

This is the first Omicron infection case confirmed in Vietnam so the ministry has reported the case to the government for instructions on preventive measures.

The Omicron was first identified in late November and has raised concerns in many countries due to its higher transmissibility. So far more than 80 countries and territories have detected the variant, including some Asian countries like Japan, Singapore and South Korea.