Earlier, one case of local transmission in Hai Duong, the biggest COVID-19 hotbed in the nation, was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in early February 2 morning. As a result, the overall number of community transmission cases nationwide has reached 276 since the latest outbreak began on January 28.
Following the latest case in the capital, an individual tested positive for COVID-19 in Dich Vong ward of Cau Giay district after coming into contact with an infected patient, raising Hanoi’s infection tally to 20 over the last six days.
Gia Lai province’s People’s Committee also reported an additional case in Phu Thien district, thereby taking the infection tally in the Central Highlands province to eight.
In terms of figures, Hai Duong tops the list with 206 cases, trailed by Quang Ninh with 33, Hanoi with 20, Gia Lai with seven, and Bac Ninh with three. In addition, Hoa Binh and Binh Duong both have two cases whilst Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Bac Giang each have one.
This comes after the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City announced on February 1 that another patient has been discovered with the new and highly infectious COVID-19 variant from the UK.
The virus was initially found in 28-year-old patient from the northern province of Hai Duong and features 17 signature mutations of the super-spreader B.1.1.7 strain that has been the cause of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in both the UK and the Europe.
This is according to an analysis conducted by a group of researchers from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU). The patient is currently receiving treatment at the city’s Cu Chi Field Hospital.
The strain is believed to be far more easily transmissible than the original variant, and it is highly likely that it is the dominant source of infection in Hai Duong.
