Omicron’s subvariant BA.2.74 recorded in Vietnam

The General Department of Preventive Medicine announced on August 17 that Vietnam has recorded BA.2.74, a new subvariant of the Omicron strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

  • New SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineage BA.5 appears in Vietnam
  • Omicron sub-variants BA.4 & BA.5 yet to be detected in Vietnam

omicron s subvariant ba.2.74 recorded in vietnam picture 1

The subvariant BA.2.74 of the Omicron variant has been detected in Vietnam. (Illustrative image).

The new subvariant was first detected in a report dated August 8 by Bach Mai hospital, the general department said in its statement on August 17.

According to the general department, the Omicron variant is dominating in the world, with its subvariants BA.2.74, BA.2.75, and BA.2.76 likely to spread rapidly and cause infections to increase again.

In Vietnam, through genome sequencing, epidemiologists have so far found Omicron’s subvariants BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1, and BA.2.74.

The general department also made a correction in a statement released on August 15, noting that subvariant BA.2.75 has yet to be detected in Vietnam.

The daily number of coronavirus infections has increased across the country over the past few days, exceeding 2,000. On August 16 alone, close to 3,000 cases were documented, a record high figure over the past three months.

The Ministry of Health suggested that people should stick to COVID-19 prevention and control measures, including wearing face masks, and disinfecting hands with sanitizer or soap, along with vaccinations.

Vietnam has so far logged more than 11 million cases since the start of the outbreak in January 2020, ranking 12 out of 227 countries and territories worldwide. Of the total, approximately 10 million patients have recovered and 43,100 patients have died of the virus and other underlying illnesses.

VOV

Other News

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.