In a directive it issued on Monday the ministry said cities and provinces must monitor all Covid outbreaks and have response measures ready.

A medical worker drops nasal fluid into a rapid Covid test kit in HCMC.

The World Health Organization classified EG.5 as a "variant under monitoring" on July 19 after a surge in incidence since early July. It has been increasingly reported across the globe, particularly in Asia.

On August 9 it was upgraded to a "variant of interest."

This follows the rise of another variant, EG.5.1, known as Eris.

EG.5 has so far been reported in more than 50 countries.

According to WHO, during the week ending July 23, the global prevalence of EG.5 was 17.4% of all Covid cases.

"This is a notable rise from the data reported four weeks prior, when the global prevalence of EG.5 was 7.6%."

There is no evidence yet that EG.5.1 causes more severe illness than other Omicron variants, and has similar symptoms.

Tran Dac Phu, senior advisor to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, said Vietnam should closely monitor information about the prevalence and virulence of all new variants, including EG.5.

In the meantime, people should continue to wear masks in areas with high infection risk such as closed and crowded spaces, get vaccines and boosters, and disinfect hands regularly, he added.

Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital launched in Xiangkhouang

The Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital, the largest health care infrastructure project that Vietnam has presented to Laos, was inaugurated in Laos’ northern province of Xiangkhouang on May 17.

Four central hospitals receive Japanese-donated medical equipment

Four central hospitals in Vietnam on April 18 received the first batch of medical equipment donated by the Government of Japan.

Party official visits hospitals ahead of Vietnamese Doctors’ Day

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education, has urged medical stations to place the task of caring for people’s health above others.

First “test tube” baby born at Bac Giang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital

(BGO)- The doctors of Bac Giang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital at the night of February 12 performed an operation for Dang Thi T (32 years old) in Huyen Son commune (Luc Nam district) and welcomed the first test tube baby born at the hospital. The operation was conducted by Director of the hospital Le Cong Tuoc and other doctors, nurses and technicians.

National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology welcomes first babies born in Year of Cat

The National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology announced that Tran Dang Duong, born at midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, became the first baby to be born in the Year of the Cat in Vietnam.

Source: VnExpress