Omicron sub-variants BA.4 & BA.5 yet to be detected in Vietnam

Vietnam has yet to discover the emergence of BA.4 and BA.5 – the two sublineages of the Omicron variant following genome sequencing, the Ministry of Health said on April 12 evening.

Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is dominant in Vietnam. (Illustrative image by Zee News Network)

Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is dominant in Vietnam. (Illustrative image by Zee News Network)

In recent COVID-19 virus gene sequencing reports, Vietnamese epidemiologists found up to 97 - 98% of the patients were infected with sub-variant BA.2, and the rest contracted strains Delta and BA.1.

In Hanoi, epidemiologists randomly conducted genome sequencing and found 87% of the cases were infected with the Omicron variant, mostly the ‘stealth’ variant BA.2. Meanwhile, genome sequencing results in Ho Chi Minh City showed the Omicron variant accounted for 76% of the testing samples.

Statistics show that the daily number of COVID-19 cases had increased in Vietnam from the end of February to mid-March, hitting more than 150,000 on some days. The Ministry of Health attributed the surge to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant that gradually replaced the Delta variant.

The World Health Organisation has announced several sublineages of the Omicron variants, namely BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, BA.5 and XE. However, only sub-variants BA.1 and BA.2 have been found in Vietnam.

The COVID-19 outbreak is on a downward trajectory in Vietnam. On April 12 alone, nearly 23,000 new infections were recorded, about one eighth of the figure confirmed nearly a month ago.

VOV

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.