HCM City copes with COVID-19 Omicron XBB variant as Tet holiday nears

According to the municipal Department of Health, the COVID-19 Omicron XBB variant, first discovered in India in August last year, was first detected in the southern metropolis on January 4.

XBB and its sub-variants have now been reported in more than 10 countries throughout the region, including Vietnam, and is likely to continue to spread further. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that XBB and its sub-variants are more transmissible compared to other sub-variants.

People’s increasing demand for travel during the week-long Tet break will pose a high risk of spreading the virus at a faster rate, said local officials.

The city has developed scenarios in case XBB spreads further in the community, including a plan to prepare 10,000 beds specifically for COVID-19 treatment. In addition, field hospital No. 13 will be put into operation within 24 hours in the event of negative developments.

The Omicron variant poses a risk of COVID-19 resurgence, prompting the municipal health sector to ask local hospitals to pool resources, including personnel and medical supplies, for anti-pandemic activities within 24 hours.

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases has been assigned to be the highest-level hospital to treat severe and critical COVID-19 patients.

People have also been urged to comply with COVID-19 regulations, such as wearing face masks and washing hands with sanitizer or soap after returning home.