Credit JHU Dashboard
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As the above JHU graphic illustrates, Vietnam has been a poster child for successful pandemic containment since the start of the pandemic 15 months ago. That is, until the past week or two, where cases have suddenly begun to rise dramatically.
Overnight there are media reports suggesting Vietnam has detected a new `hybrid' variant - supposedly one with aa changes common to both B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.x - that is supposedly fueling their outbreak (see Reuters report Vietnam detects hybrid of Indian and UK COVID-19 variant).As we've seen in Taiwan and Singapore, while much of the rest of the world is seeing reductions in COVID cases, the Western Pacific region is on the ascendent.
New variants are, of course, a dime a dozen and not necessarily a cause for concern.
Most will never amount to much, and will be dominated by a few more biologically `fit' variants. But that said, B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.x have more than proven their prowess over the past few months, and so this variant deserves our attention.
Overnight Vietnam's MOH issued the following statement, which mentions this new mutation without providing details other than " . . . its ability to spread quickly and spread widely."
Minister Nguyen Thanh Long: Adjusting and changing to match the anti-epidemic practice in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh
May 29, 2021 | 08:12 AM
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Minister of Health emphasized: In this 4th wave of epidemics, in accordance with the actual situation, the biggest goal set by the Prime Minister is to control the epidemic situation in two countries. In Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces, the Ministry of Health has made changes in epidemic prevention in isolation, testing and treatment...
The rate of increase in cases shows no sign of slowing down
Commenting on the current situation of COVID-19 epidemic nationwide, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Minister of Health, said that as previously forecast, the fourth wave of epidemics was very complicated, with signs difficulties in disease control.
This epidemic has spread to more than 30 provinces and cities, and has been basically controlled by the provinces. Particularly, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh are two localities that tend to have very complicated developments due to the appearance of infection patterns in industrial zones.
Along with that, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed with mutations that increase its ability to spread quickly and spread widely. This explains the rapid increase in the number of infections in a short time.
In these two provinces, the number of confirmed cases shows no sign of slowing down, mostly in isolated and blocked areas. The head of the health sector said that coming here, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh will continue to have infections, and it will take more time to control the situation well.
The Minister hoped that, with the plans and measures being implemented together with the drastic measures of the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, the Ministry of Health and localities took part, In the coming time, the epidemic situation in these two provinces will be well controlled.
