It cited the results of genome sequencing of community epidemiological surveillance samples conducted by the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute and Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, saying seven new sub-variants of Omicron have been found, including XBB.1.9.1, XBB. 1.16 and XBB.1.16.1.

Earlier, the sub-variant XBB.1.5 had also been detected in the city.

They are among 11 new sub-variants found out of 13 epidemiological surveillance samples conducted by the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention from April 8 to 14.

These sub-variants have been discovered in many countries around the world and are classified by the World Health Organisation as variants of interest (VOI) or variants under monitoring (VUM).

Worryingly, Ho Chi Minh City has discovered XBB.1.5 classified by WHO as a new sub-variant of the VOI group that has found in 95 countries. It has also recorded sub-variant XBB.1.16 that has emerged in more than 20 countries and is causing a new wave of COVID-19 in India. XBB.1.16 has been classified by WHO as a variant to be monitored. (VUM).

The discovery of many new sub-variants of Omicron that are prevalent in the world can be attributed to the sudden increase in the number of fresh coronavirus infections in Ho Chi Minh City and other localities across the country over the past few days.

Currently, there has been no evidence showing there is a direct correlation between variants of concern or variants under monitoring and with the worsening situation of COVID-19 globally.

However, the increasing number of fresh coronavirus cases will certainly lead to an increase in the number of hospital admissions. Notably, most of the hospitalized cases are people in risk groups, including those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

Statistics show Ho Chi Minh City logged 56 fresh coronavirus cases with 42 hospitalisations during the past 24 hours, from 16:00 on April 22 to 16:00 on April 23. Currently, 180 patients are receiving treatment in medical facilities and 57 cases require mechanical ventilation.

Source: VOV