The genetic analysis of the latest SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak in Danang has revealed a novel strain that spreads quicker than all of the previous five recorded in Vietnam, according to Vietnamnet.
However, its degree of virulence in comparison to the past variants is unknown, according to Nguyen Thanh Long, current Minister of Health at the Monday National Steering Committee meeting.
“The health ministry has submitted the new strain’s data to a world gene bank for comparison,” he said.
The condition of ‘Patient 416’ – Vietnam’s first recorded case of the pandemic in 100 days -has taken a turn for the worse, and he is in critical condition.
The vice chairman of the People’s Committee in Hanoi has alerted to the potential high spread of the pandemic, as up to 20,000 people were estimated to have recently flown from Danang to the capital.
All domestic flights to and from Danang have cancelled from July 28.
Since Monday, the cost of medical masks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has risen, with the price gouged up to 70,000-90,000 VND per a box of 50 units.
Vietnam has not recorded a single death from the coronavirus.
