Ho Chi Minh City reinforces COVID-19 measures amid global concerns over Omicron XEC variant

The city’s Department of Health issued an urgent directive on Wednesday calling on local health units to proactively prevent a potential resurgence.

The directive followed consultations with leaders from the Center for Disease Control (HCDC), the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Children's Hospital 1, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, and infectious disease experts.

The Omicron XEC variant, first detected globally in June 2024, is a recombinant of subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3.

While the World Health Organization has categorized it as low-risk and under monitoring, its rapid transmission in at least 15 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia has raised alarms.

Health data from the U.S., the UK, and China suggest that XEC spreads 84-110 percent faster than other Omicron strains, accounting for up to 20 percent of new infections in some regions, according to the Department of Medical Sciences under the Thai Ministry of Public Health.

Thailand is among the countries where the variant has been confirmed.

Citywide prevention efforts

To reduce the risk of local transmission, Ho Chi Minh City health authorities have mandated mask wearing and hand hygiene compliance at all hospitals and healthcare centers.

Hospitals have been instructed to strengthen infection control protocols and prioritize protection for vulnerable patients.

People are advised to seek medical examination and treatment at health facilities soon after having COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body pain, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, headache, and difficulty breathing.

The HCDC will coordinate closely with health units to track the virus’s spread both domestically and abroad.

Training sessions will be organized for medical facilities to reinforce standard prevention procedures.

Public health messaging is also being intensified in public areas, including tourist attractions and shopping malls, to raise awareness about protective behaviors.

Healthcare facilities must educate staff, patients, and visitors about disease prevention.

In cases involving severe illness or complications, patients are to be transferred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases with all necessary precautions in place.

The HCDC has also been tasked with ensuring an adequate supply of medical materials, including protective gear, biological products, and diagnostic tools to support surveillance activities.

At the national level, the Ministry of Health has issued a directive instructing all healthcare institutions to prepare for patient intake, isolation, and treatment. This includes readying infrastructure, supplies, and staff for emergency response.

Vietnam has recorded 148 COVID-19 cases across 27 provinces and cities since January, with no fatalities.

Although the case numbers remain low, the past three weeks have seen a modest uptick, averaging about 20 cases per week.

Other countries have reported more pronounced surges. In Thailand, health authorities documented more than 71,000 infections and 19 deaths between January and mid-May.