New strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus increases infectivity | News



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Given the news of the appearance of a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, since December 23, the Ministry of Health raised the epidemic alert to the highest level; at the same time asking localities to prepare for the worst situations.

Several European countries closed their borders with Great Britain due to Covid-19

At the online conference with 63 provinces and cities directly dependent on the Central Government on strengthening the prevention and fight against the Covid-19 epidemic held by the Ministry of Health on December 23, the Minister of Health, Nguyen Thanh Long said that public opinion and Scientists are very concerned about the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, especially in the UK, where the emergence of this new strain is observed.

The new strain is of great concern

“This is a strain that increases the ability of the virus to adhere to host cells, mutations in the N501Y gene region of the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Long said. According to estimates and expert comments, this strain has the ability to increase the transmission rate by up to 70%. That is what worries us a lot. Vietnam continues to closely monitor this tension. “

According to Mr. Long, up to this point, Vietnam has basically successfully controlled the Covid-19 epidemic and has not discovered a new strain in Vietnam. “However, we are very concerned and concerned that the increased transmission of the modified virus will cause more people to become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and increase the number of deaths. Despite the worrying situation, we must remain calm. We are currently performing genetic sequencing on all test samples. The Ministry of Health has instructed health establishments to strengthen the genetic sequencing of specimens, especially samples from Europe and in countries with strains, to see how the ability to transmit, to invade. How to go to Vietnam, ”Long said.

Strictly manage entrance people

Commenting on the disease situation in the near future, Mr. Dang Quang Tan, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), said: “Vietnam still allows some people to enter. Next time is Christmas, New Year and the preparation to come is the Lunar New Year, so the travel and water demand of the citizens is very great. Therefore, the risk of noticing a case of Covid-19 is always present ”.

Faced with the emergence of a new strain, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long called on localities not to neglect disease prevention and control, especially the strict handling of legal and illegal immigrants. “We must intensify and become more drastic, as of today, December 23, the Ministry of Health decided to make prevention and control activities against Covid-19 a peak wave from now until the end of the year. To ensure Lunar New Year 2021, people enjoy a peaceful Tet, “Long emphasized.

According to the Minister of Health, on average Vietnam has between 100 and 150 people entering the border illegally every day. This is very worrying, border localities must pay special attention, if an illegal entry carries the pathogen, it will be very dangerous. “Outside, epidemics are no longer big waves and strong winds, but storms. Protecting the results of epidemic prevention is now paramount. Localities need to do it drastically, including by air, river and road. This weekend, the Ministry of Health will control and prevent epidemics in the border provinces, ”Long said.

For those with legal entrances, the Minister of Health suggested that more controls should be strengthened, especially in centrally isolated hotels. Only when permitted by local authorities, should the home be insulated and there should be signs of isolation so that those around it can monitor and minimize risks. Long suggested that medical facilities should be vigilant at a higher level, strengthen testing and expedite testing for suspected cases.

“We cannot know where Covid-19 came from, where it came from, so localities must plan and prepare scenarios for adverse situations. All F1 cases are subject to centralized isolation. Take epidemic prevention to the highest level between now and the end of the year, ”emphasized Mr. Long.

Fight for the earliest vaccine

Regarding vaccines, Dang Quang Tan said that the world is researching and giving injections in various countries. However, the problem of vaccination in 2021 still has limitations. In the country, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long reported, on December 17, Vietnam tested the Nanogen Nano Covax vaccine. Subjects injected in phase 1 were safe. Testing will continue with injections for the remaining subjects. In addition, there are 3 companies that continue to research and develop vaccines: IVAC, Polivac and Vabiotec. In particular, IVAC and Vabiotec will test 1.3 in both the North and the South, ensuring national representation.

In parallel with the search for vaccine sources in foreign companies under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to have the earliest source of vaccines, Vietnam will focus on proactive research and development of vaccines in the country. According to Mr. Long, the Ministry of Health is trying to secure mechanisms and negotiate with companies to have vaccines for Vietnam as soon as possible.

“Currently there is no vaccine that has been shown to have a long-lasting effect. The national vaccine initiative is very important, but to actively research and develop. However, we do not depend on vaccines, even when there are, we still have to drastically prevent Covid-19, especially in the current context, “Long noted.

Check-in in Hanoi with Covid-19 infection

On the afternoon of December 23, the National Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 (Steering Committee) announced that 1 case of Covid-19 was recognized as patient 1,421 (BN) of Covid-19 in Vietnam. BN 1421 (female, 22 years old, Vietnamese citizen) has an address in Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

On December 21, a US patient transited through Korea, entered Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) on flight VN415, immediately quarantined himself and took samples for testing in Hanoi. Test results on December 23 confirmed the patient positive for SARS-CoV-2.
According to the Steering Committee, at present, 16,341 people in close contact and entry from the epidemic area are in medical isolation, monitoring the health of the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic, of which 1,116 people are isolated at home and in the place of residence. Of the 1,421 Covid-19 patients registered in Vietnam to date, 1,281 cases have been cured.

Lien Chau



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