Deceased Japanese expert infected with new virus variant: Health Minister
VOV.VN - A Japanese expert who died in Hanoi on February 13 has been infected with a new variant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, said Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long.
Long announced the results of the expert’s genome sequencing at a meeting of permanent Cabinet members in Hanoi on February 24.
He did not reveal specifically but said this was the first time the new strain has been detected in Vietnam.
The strain, he said, has circulated mainly in the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), and India.
According to the minister, Japan, the deceased expert’s home country, has yet to record this strain.
To scientists, the strain it not highly transmissible, but the extent of its aggravation is not clear, said Long.
Epidemiologists stated that the new strain is not linked to the fresh coronavirus hotspot in Hai Duong province where a variant strain originating from the United States was recorded.
The Japanese expert entered Vietnam on January 17 through Tan Son Nhat International Airport. He was placed in quarantine in Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Binh District from January 17-31 upon his arrival.
He left the quarantine facility and flew to Hanoi on February 1 after testing negative twice, on January 17 and 31.
The man stayed at Somerset West Point Hanoi hotel in Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, and travelled back and forth between the hotel and his company Mitsui Vietnam.
He was found dead in his hotel room on February 13. Subsequent tests showed he had carried the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
