The Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) had co-operated with the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases to randomly conduct genome sequencing, during which they found one case of an individual being infected with the Omicron variant XBB.1.5.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that based on its genetic characteristics and early growth rate estimates, XBB.1.5 may contribute to increases in cases.

Scientists suggest that XBB.1.5 may be able to evade any immunity generated by infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or the COVID-19 vaccine. Although XBB.1.5 appears to be more infectious, its severity is still unknown.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said that since the beginning of March the southern city had recorded an average of one COVID-19 case per day. Currently, there are 12 patients being treated at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases with no serious cases requiring mechanical ventilation.

The department stressed that booster vaccinations for COVID-19 are very important, especially for those aged five above, as well as older people in the high-risk group.

Source: VOV