Indian coronavirus variant found in COVID-19 cases linked to Hanoi-based hospital
Seven COVID-19 patients linked to the Hanoi-based National Hospital for Tropical Diseases’ cluster are infected with the variant of coronavirus first reported in India.
Barriers and police-managed checkpoints were set up around the Kim Chung facility of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Dong Anh district, Hanoi, on May 6 as the hospital was locked down after a dozen COVID-19 infections were found. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - SevenCOVID-19 patients linked to the Hanoi-based National Hospital for TropicalDiseases’ cluster are infected with the variant of coronavirus firstreported in India.
The National Institute ofHygiene and Epidemiology on May 11 announced the results of the geneticsequencing for eight samples taken from COVID-19 patients submitted by fournorthern provinces – two from Vinh Phuc, two from Bac Ninh, two from LangSon, and one from Nam Dinh – and the Indian strain showed up in seven.
The variant B1.617, which theWorld Health Organization (WHO) classified on May10 as a “variant of concern,”has demonstrated higher spreading capabilities among humans, according to somepreliminary studies, but further research is still needed to explore thevariant's transmissibility, disease severity and whether it could make existingCOVID-19 vaccines less effective.
An official from the National Hospital for TropicalDiseases – its second facility in Dong Anh district currently underlockdown – said the origin of its current outbreak could come from the COVID-19treatment ward, infecting patients in other faculties and patients’ familyrelatives who came to take care of them from many northern localities.
Earlier this month, theinstitute’s genome probe also indicated the outbreak related to Sunny Club in VinhPhuc, which is caused by two visiting Chinese experts who in turn have likelycontracted the disease from another group of Indian experts during the timethey stay at the same quarantine hotel in Yen Bai province, is of Indianvariant.
The other sample from a COVID-19patient in Hai Duong who has illegally entered Vietnam from Laos showed theB1.1.7 variant which was first reported in the UK./.
The Ministry of Health recorded additional 18 COVID-19 cases in the last six hours to 12:00 on May 11, of which 16 were recorded in locked-down areas, and two were imported cases.
Deputy Minister of Defence Lieut. Gen. Vu Hai San on May 11 emphasised the necessity of activating the COVID-19 prevention and control system at the highest level in the army.
Despite storm-related disruptions and flight delays, the organs were successfully transported via a combination of air and ground travel. All patients are currently stable and recovering well.
The patient, Tieu Viet But, born in 1970 and residing in Binh Tri commune, Binh Son district, the central province of Quang Ngai, was working aboard fishing vessel Qng – 95657TS when the incident occurred at 7:00 am.
All drugs entering hospitals must have a clear origin, so counterfeit drugs are only in the market, not in hospital, affirmed Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan.
To achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045, Vietnam is prioritising the integration of AI and digital tools into the training of future doctors, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, Dean of Medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University (VNU) Hanoi.
Health experts called for collective disease prevention and integrated solutions to achieve zero dengue deaths in the country at an online talk show on June 14.
The PM called for closer, broader, and more effective cooperation with Vietnamese partners, guided by the principles of mutual benefit, joint efforts, shared outcomes, and common development, including promoting stronger public-private partnerships and collaboration with businesses.
Renowned for its expertise in complex surgeries, the hospital has attracted foreign patients seeking treatment for conditions such as kidney and urinary tract stones, urological and gastrointestinal cancers, and male reproductive disorders. Most procedures are performed using advanced techniques, including laparoscopy and robotic surgery. T
Leading Vietnamese companies specialising in respiratory and dermatological treatments, traditional medicine, immune support supplements, and functional foods will have an opportunity to connect with international distributors and secure export deals.
The project aimed to enable early detection and reduce the risk of dangerous complications, targeting patients with chronic diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and metabolic disorders.
A 2023 report by the Vietnam Health Economics Association estimated that the total cost of tobacco-related healthcare and economic losses reached 108 trillion VND (4.14 billion USD) annually – equivalent to 1.14% of GDP and five times higher than the budget revenue generated by the tobacco industry.
All eligible patients will receive surgical interventions and post-operative care in accordance with Vietnamese medical standards and global care protocols.
Medical screenings and surgical interventions for children with disabilities are being carried out at health centers across Dien Bien. So far this year, 242 children have been identified for diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and the provision of assistive devices.
The Red Journey has become the country’s largest and most effective blood donation campaign, leaving a strong impression on the national voluntary blood donation movement.
This case marks the ninth fetal cardiac intervention conducted in HCM City, and it was considered the most technically demanding to date due to the fetus’s extremely early gestational age and the severity of the condition as diagnosed with aortic atresia.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place one day after the VNVC Vaccine JS Company and Sanofi Group exchanged cooperation documents on vaccine production technology transfer under the witness of State President Luong Cuong and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Vietnam’s traditional medicine took centre stage at the International Congress Biopharm Nonclinical Development, BioNCiD 2025, held on May 25-26 in the Cuban city of Varadero, amid growing global interest in sustainable healthcare solutions.
Under the agreement, VNVC and Sanofi will gradually implement technology transfers to enable domestic production of several key Sanofi vaccines that are widely used in Vietnam. In addition, Sanofi will support VNVC in training human resources and quality management in vaccine research and manufacturing.
Despite the ongoing global circulation and unpredictable developments of SARS-CoV-2, the World Health Organisation (WHO) hasn’t issued new warnings about COVID-19, said the Ministry of Health.
Barriers and police-managed checkpoints were set up around the Kim Chung facility of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Dong Anh district, Hanoi, on May 6 as the hospital was locked down after a dozen COVID-19 infections were found. (Photo: VNA) 
