Five mutated strains of SARS-CoV-2 circulate in HCM City

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam, has identified five mutated strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in the locality, with Delta considered the most dangerous variant, according to a local health official.

The Delta variant first identified in India is considered the most dangerous strain in HCM City. (Illustrative photo by BILL OXFORD/ GETTY IMAGES)

Five mutant strains which were first discovered in Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Uganda and India have been identified in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hong Tam, deputy director of the HCM City Centre for Diseases Control, told local media outlets on July 9.

The Delta variant which originated from India is the latest but most dangerous strain recorded in the city, added Tam.

The variant which is much more transmissible than contemporary lineages has caused numerous chains of transmission in HCM City and other localities.

The city has so far recorded closely to 10,000 COVID-19 cases since the virus resurged in late April.

HCM City has imposed social distancing with tighter restrictions as of July 9 in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.

The Prime Minister has pledged to allocate all necessary resources for the city to combat the disease.