COVID-19: Mutated variants B.1.1.7 & B.1.617.2 found in Da Nang

• Infection tally in new wave hit 2,164, with 129 more cases confirmed
• 50 further new cases added to national infection tally

Announcing the results of genome sequencing of 37 COVID-19 cases in three localities on May 24, the MoH said 30 virus samples in Da Nang have carried the UK-originating variant B.1.1.7 and two other samples have contained the Indian originating variant B.1.617.2.

Da Nang has recorded more than 150 new COVID-19 cases since the virus recurred in Vietnam in late April, 2021.

The northern province of Dien Bien has sent four samples to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for genome sequencing, and the variant B.1.617.2 has been found in all four samples.

Meanwhile, the northern port city of Hai Phong has sent one sample, with the result showing the patient has carried the UK variant.

Both the variants found in dozens of countries worldwide are said to be more transmissible than their predecessors.

Last week, two more mutated variants B.1.222 & B.1.619 were detected in Vietnam from imported cases, raising the total number of coronavirus variants in the country to seven.