Ho Chi Minh City: COVID-19 cases increased slightly, sub-variant XBB.1.5 . appeared

On the morning of April 14, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said that out of five samples of COVID-19 patients that were sequenced, there were two samples belonging to the sub-variant BA.5 (40%), one sample BA.2.75 (20%) ), one model XBB.1 (20%) and one model XBB.1.5 (20%).

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health on the morning of April 14 said that from the beginning of March, 2023, the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded under 3 cases/day, an average of 1 case/day. During the week from April 6 to April 12, there were 6 patients with COVID-19. However, on April 12, 3 new cases were recorded and on April 13, 7 cases were recorded.

Currently, there are 12 patients being treated at the hospital, with no serious cases requiring mechanical ventilation.

According to a report by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), in collaboration with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from patients who tested positive between January 11 and 20 -3. As a result, five samples were successfully decoded, of which two samples belonged to sub-variant BA.5 (2/5, 40%), one sample BA.2.75 (1/5, 20%), one sample XBB .1 (1/5, 20%) and a sample XBB.1.5 (1/5, 20%).

The World Health Organization (WHO) says XBB.1.5 is currently the predominant variant globally (accounting for 47.1% of cases in March 2023, compared with 39.8% in the month of March, 2023. 2-2023), XBB.1.5 has been detected in 94 countries.

Current world analysis data show no reports of higher severity for circulating variants, nor are there any reports of increased hospitalizations or deaths. in ICUs due to any variant from the XBB lineage currently circulating.

Currently, WHO classifies XBB.1.5 as a Variant Of Interest (VOI) variant, continues to be closely monitored, and there are seven other variants in the group being monitored (Variant Being Monitored - VBM). including BA.2.75, CH.1.1, BQ.1, XBF, XBB, XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.9.1.

Thus, at present, there is no variant belonging to the group of worrisome variants (VOC) or serious consequences (Variant Of High Consequence - VOHC).

During the previous 4 weeks (March 6 to April 2), there were nearly 3.3 million new cases and more than 23,000 deaths globally, down 28% and 30% respectively compared to the previous 4 weeks. 28 days before (February 6 to March 5, 2023).

Although the total number of new cases has been on a global downward trend, 74 countries (accounting for 31% of the total) have recorded an increase of 20% or more in the number of new cases during the same survey period. .

Given the declining trend in the implementation of diagnostic tests in the current period, as well as the delay in reporting in many countries, the newly reported data is incomplete, so it is necessary to explain the variables. Change the number of cases carefully.

At the regional level, the number of new cases reported in the last 28 days has decreased (compared to the previous 4-week period) in 4 of the 6 WHO regions: the Western Pacific region (-48%) , Africa region (-30%), Americas region (-29%), and Europe region (-13%); however cases increased in two regions: Eastern Mediterranean (+147%) and Southeast Asia (+289%).

On April 12, the Ministry of Health issued Official Letter No. 2116/BYT-DP on strengthening the prevention and control of COVID-19. According to information from the national infectious disease surveillance system, the situation of COVID-19 epidemic in the country is on the rise again.

The Ministry of Health warned that the possibility of an epidemic outbreak that could occur due to other infectious diseases such as dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, influenza, etc., could also increase the number of cases.

* SOURCE: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-ca-covid-19-tang-nhe-da-xuat-hien-bien-the-phu-xbb-1-5-20230414061843897.htm