1.Systematic sequencing of imported cases leads to detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant in central Viet Nam
Do Thai Hung ; Nguyen Bao Trieu ; Do Thi Thu Thuy ; Allison Olmsted ; Trinh Hoang Long ; Nguyen Duc Duy ; Huynh Kim Mai ; Bui Thi Thu Hien ; Nguyen Van Van ; Tran Van Kiem ; Vo Thi Thuy Trang ; Nguyen Truong Duy ; Ton That Thanh ; Huynh Van Dong ; Philip L Gould ; Matthew R Moore
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2022;13(4):82-85
As authorities braced for the arrival of the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), infrastructure investments and government directives prompted action in central Viet Nam to establish capacity for genomic surveillance sequencing. From 17 November 2021 to 7 January 2022, the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang sequenced 162 specimens from 98 150 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in the region collected from 8 November to 31 December 2021. Of these, all 127 domestic cases were identified as the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, whereas 92% (32/35) of imported cases were identified as the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant, all among international flight passengers. Patients were successfully isolated, enabling health-care workers to prepare for additional cases. Most (78%) of the 32 Omicron cases were fully vaccinated, suggesting continued importance of public health and social measures to control the spread of new variants.