The results of gene sequencing were announced by scientists at the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) on the morning of February 2.
Talking to VnExpress on the afternoon of February 2, professor and doctor Dang Duc Anh, Director of NIHE, said the gene sequencing results were dated February 1.
The virus research process takes 3-5 days, including virus culturing time and a number of other processes before gene sequencing.
On the afternoon of February 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Diseases Hospital announced the results of nCoV gene decoding on patient 1660. This patient has epidemiological factors related to Hai Duong.
A few days ago, scientists from NIHE and the Central Tropical Diseases Hospital also discovered the South African nCoV variant in two patients imported from South Africa.
B.1.1.7 was first recorded from southeastern England.
Preliminary analyzes show that the British nCoV variant is 56% to 70% more transmissible than the old strain, causing a spike in the number of virus-positive cases.
From here, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Minister of Health, affirmed: `Both outbreaks at Poyun Company, Hai Duong and Van Don Airport, Quang Ninh have unknown sources of infection but are both caused by nCoV variants from the UK.`
Minister Long also said that the nCoV variant is transmitted through the air.
Covid-19 in Vietnam broke out again from January 28.
nCoV testing technician at Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Diseases Hospital.
