Vietnam Decoding Genome of New Virus Variant, to Have Results in 3 Days

Vietnamese doctors at the Hanoi-based National Hospital for Tropical Diseases are sequencing the full genome of a new severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, with material taken from patient No. 1552 in the northern province of Hai Duong, local media reported. The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) is also conducting the same research on genome sequencing, in a bid to get insight into the new virus quickly. Results of the studies are expected to be available in three days. Earlier at a meeting on fighting the disease on January 28, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that the new virus can exist in the community for at least ten days, estimating the latest Hai Duong hotspot to witness four rounds of transmission. He highlighted that local health authorities must ensure safety for hospitals, patients with serious chronic underlying diseases, and medical workers. He also asked local authorities to strictly discipline people who do not wear facemasks in public places, warning that the health ministry will not able to allocate resources for from two to three places like the current Hai Duong hotspot. (Kenh 14, kenh14.vn, zingnews.vn)