The Ministry of Health recommends the sub-variant EG.5 Omicron

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just released a report saying that in July 2023, the number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide increased by 80%. The report was published a few days after the WHO identified the new variant EG.5 of Omicron as "remarkable".

The updated WHO report shows that, from July 10 to August 6, there were nearly 1.5 million new infections worldwide, an increase of 80% compared to the previous 4 weeks. However, the number of deaths from COVID-19 decreased by 57%, to 2,500 cases, also during this period.

To continue to be proactive in epidemic prevention and control measures; Not being subjective, negligent or losing vigilance in order to contribute to creating conditions for socio-economic development, the Ministry of Health has sent an official dispatch to the People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities on the proactive implementation of epidemic prevention and control.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health proposes that the People's Committees of provinces and cities continue to thoroughly grasp and strictly follow the directions of the Government and the Prime Minister in the work of epidemic prevention and control; effectively implement Resolution No. 38/NQ-CP dated March 17, 2022 of the Government and instructions of the Ministry of Health in the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases such as dengue fever, hand foot and mouth ... not to let the epidemic re-emerge and minimize the risk of epidemic overlap.

People's Committees of provinces and cities direct to continue to actively monitor and closely monitor the epidemic situation in the area; prepare plans to respond to possible epidemic situations; continue to promote surveillance, early detection and timely handling of cases and outbreaks and effectively implement the expanded vaccination program in 2023, vaccination against COVID-19.

At the same time, localities directed to closely coordinate with the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pasteur and hospitals under the Ministry of Health to take samples and sequence genes for early detection of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. and promptly report to the Ministry of Health when new variants are detected.
The Ministry of Health also suggested that the People's Committees of provinces and cities continue to well organize and prepare plans for patient collection and treatment; strictly implement infection control and effectively implement the work of directing the line, improving the capacity of diagnosis and treatment; continue to ensure logistics, funding, drugs, vaccines, biological products, supplies, chemicals, equipment and human resources to be ready for epidemic prevention and control.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), said that in the current context, Vietnam needs to continue to closely monitor the information of the World Health Organization. on the spread and virulence of new variants, including the subvariant EG.5 Omicron.

In addition, people need to continue to take preventive measures such as wearing masks in high-risk areas, when coming into contact with people with suspected symptoms, regularly disinfecting hands, and injecting vaccines. Special attention should be paid to high-risk groups, people with underlying diseases, people with weakened immune systems, etc.

* SOURCE: https://baotintuc.vn/dich-benh/bo-y-te-khuyen-cao-ve-bien-the-phu-eg5-omicron-20230814162841191.htm