SE Asia's biggest travel app Traveloka raises US$250m amid the coronavirus crisis
	Israeli urged to ‘hug trees’ to beat the coronavirus blues
	Coronavirus treatment updates: Russians claim to have an effective treatment for the coronavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO)'s representative in Vietnam, Mr. Kidong Park, said that the occurrence of the COVID-19 new cases in Da Nang was not alarming, this virus strain's virulence is not different from that spreading in other countries.

Dr. Kidong Park, WHO representative in Vietnam. Photo: VGP

"The coronavirus detected in Da Nang is similar to the SARS-CoV-2 causing Covid-19 disease and spreading in other countries in July. Despite the mutations presenting in this strain, there is no reason to raise concerns. According to available data, the potential for transmission and virulence of the virus have not changed. ", said Park.

After 99 days without detecting new cases in the community, on July 25, Vietnam recorded more infectious cases in the community in Da Nang city and Quang Ngai province. Acting Vietnam's Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that the Covid-19 epidemic could reappear from early July.

Facing the Covid-19 epidemic evaluated to be potentially complicated, the Ministry of Health has activated the highest measures with the most elite team to prevent and fight against the epidemic.

Nasopharyngeal swabing up of a patient sample for SARS-CoV-2 test at 199 Danang Hospital in the afternoon of July 28. (Photo: tuoitre)

The 6th coronavirus strain identified to spread faster than before

Results of genetic source analysis from Covid-19 patients in Da Nang showed that Vietnam recognized a new strain of virus, an invasive and aggressive strain from the outside. This strain has a faster spread than the previously recorded strains.

Thus, after the discovery of five different strains of Covid-19 circulating among domestic Covid-19 patients, with newly identified cases in Da Nang, Vietnam confirmed another 6th Covid-19 strain. Currently, the Ministry of Health has put it on the world gene bank for comparison

Prof., Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, the Vietnam Infectious Association's President, former Director of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases said that the nature of coronavirus has always had mutations and now the world has identified nearly 99 strains of coronavirus spreading around the world. Vietnam has just recorded the 6th strain, just few compared to these strains in the world.

Sample tests (illustration).

According to Dr. Kinh, the new strain has a much faster spread but the virulence compared to the original virus has not increased.

"With the new virus spreading rapidly, more people will be infected the Covid-19, but only 5% of them will become critical. That explains why the world soared one million cases in three days and reached more than 16 million cases in recent time but the number of deaths is gradually being controlled, ”Dr. Kinh said.

Once the spread of the new strain is determined, will Vietnam try to trace, isolate F0 (the first infection) to F3 (the third indirect infection), cut off the transmission so it does not spread quickly. Areas with lots of patients will be performed temporary small lockdowns. In the epidemic areas, there must be social distancing implemented for strengthening preventive activities to wear masks regularly, washing hands, encouraging people not to gather in large numbers.

Prof. Kinh affirmed that the world's existing infection cases will cause risks for Vietnam to be entered new infections. But we are not bewildered, fearless and calmly fighting againt the virus. “We have experienced the stage 1 in tracing cases. Regarding lockdown, we also reach a higher level, there is no need for a lockdown of the whole country like some countries. We implement the blockade to the epidemic areas to control the situation and help people to feel secure, ”said Prof. Kinh.

Danang to shutdown COVID-19 hotspots Barriers and guards were deployed to lock down four sections of streets surrounding three hospitals - the general hospital, C Hospital, and Rehabilitation and Orthopaedics hospital - which are ...

Vietnamese in Cyprus support host country fight against the coronavirus The Vietnamese community in the Cyprus has donated masks and food to help people in the city of Limassol to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

The coronavirus tends to take five days to cause symptoms Scientists from John Hopkins University looked at 181 people who tested positive between 4 January and 24 February.