In response to the Omicron XEC variant, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has issued a directive requiring everyone entering or exiting hospitals to wear masks and instructed medical facilities to tighten Covid-19 surveillance and prevention measures.

On May 21, Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Health, signed an urgent notice to local health units, calling for proactive measures against Covid-19 as part of the city’s ongoing pandemic response.

A day earlier, the department held a meeting with leaders from the HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC), the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Children’s Hospital 1, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), and infectious disease experts to assess the current Covid-19 situation.

The Omicron XEC subvariant, first detected globally in June 2024, has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a low-risk variant under monitoring. However, city health officials are stepping up vigilance and preparedness to effectively treat serious cases if they arise.

The Department of Health has tasked HCDC with coordinating surveillance efforts with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, the Pasteur Institute of HCMC, and OUCRU to collect samples from outbreak sites and severe cases to monitor the spread and detect variant strains.

As part of the city’s sustainable disease control plan for 2023–2025, particular focus is being placed on protecting vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

HCDC has instructed medical facilities to follow national Covid-19 protocols, enhance public communication at tourist areas, shopping centers, and public venues, and encourage personal preventive measures like mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and seeking medical attention when symptomatic.

Hospitals must intensify communication efforts on pandemic prevention among staff, patients, and visitors, while strictly monitoring compliance with hand hygiene and mask mandates.

Patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms should be referred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases for further treatment.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Associate Professor Do Van Dung, Head of Public Health at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in HCMC, stated that the XEC variant spreads faster than previous strains and is likely behind the recent increase in local infections. However, he emphasized that it does not cause more severe symptoms and that the public should not be overly alarmed.

As a preventive measure, Dr. Dung recommended maintaining mask-wearing habits, especially in crowded areas, noting its dual benefits for Covid-19 and general respiratory protection without disrupting daily life.

Currently, Covid-19 patients are no longer subject to mandatory isolation, but those showing symptoms like fever or cough are advised to avoid public places or work to minimize transmission. Elderly individuals and those with underlying conditions should remain cautious, monitor their health, and follow medical advice.

Phuong Thuy