HCM City records rising number of new COVID-19 cases, particularly BA.5 variant
A survey of 30 COVID-19 inpatients and those who came for testing at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases showed that up to 24 were infected with sub-variant BA.5, followed by four with sub-variant BA.2 and one patient each with variant BA.1 and BA.4.
HCM City (VNS/VNA) - A survey of 30 COVID-19 inpatientsand those who came for testing at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for TropicalDiseases showed that up to 24 were infected with sub-variant BA.5, followed byfour with sub-variant BA.2 and one patient each with variant BA.1 and BA.4.
According to the report, the number of COVID-19 cases beingtreated at hospitals in HCM City is escalating gradually.
While 26 cases, including 15 severe ones, received treatment atthe hospital on July 12, the number increased to 163 cases and 38 severe caseson August 8.
Results from January 1 to July 15 with 429 samples showed thatOmicron's BA.2 variant was still spreading.
However, the sub-variant BA.5 of the Omicron strain has recentlydriven COVID-19 infections and re-infections.
The city has also recorded three cases of infection with thesub-variant BA.2.12.1 of Omicron in recent weeks.
According to the Department of Health, corresponding to theincrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases, the number of severe cases alsotends to increase.
On average, there were 35 severe cases per day in the past week,up nearly 50% compared to previous weeks. Seven cases need mechanicalventilation.
The districts with an increased number of COVID-19 cases in thepast 21 days (from July 16 to August 5) are Districts 10, 12, Binh Thanh and NhaBe.
The total number of vaccines administered so far is more than 22.8million doses, of which 8.5 million were first doses, 7.6 million were seconddoses, 4.6 million were third doses and 1.2 million were fourth doses.
Children from five to 17 years old received over 82,050 injectionsthe first week they were available. On average, about 11,720 injections per dayare administered.
Duong Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee,said that the number of children hospitalised due to COVID-19 infection in thepast two days has increased by eight to ten cases. This is a disturbing signalbecause children return to school starting from August 22.
HCM City’s Health Department also requested that the two districtswith the lowest children vaccination rate, Tan Binh (531 children vaccinated)and District 4 (113 children vaccinated), quickly implement vaccinations inschool for children, not just in hospitals or health care centres./.
Vietnam has launched large scale COVID-19 vaccination drives. As of August 4, more than 247 million doses had been administered, making Vietnam into the list of countries with high vaccination coverage in the world.
Vietnam recorded 2,367 new COVID-19 cases on August 11, while Nghe An province supplemented 4,408 cases after verifying information, raising the national caseload to 11,360,348, according to the Ministry of Health.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
