3 COVID-19 community cases in Vinh Phuc carry Indian double mutant strain
(VOVWORLD) - Three COVID-19 patients in northern Vietnam have been infected with an Indian mutant of the novel coronavirus, marking the nation's first community transmissions with this strain, VnExpress reported.
The patients in Vinh Phuc province contracted the virus from a group of Chinese experts over the weekend. The virus has been identified as the B.1.167 variant, a "double mutant" strain. This is the second time that the B.1.167 strain has been found in Vietnam but the first among community transmissions.
Patients in the current hotspot in Ha Nam, meanwhile, have been infected with the B.1.1.7 variant from the UK.
Vietnam first recorded the Indian strain eight days ago in a group of Indian experts. They had been quarantined upon arrival at Nhu Nguyet 2 hotel in the northern province of Yen Bai and transmitted the virus to a male receptionist working at the hotel. Such cases are not considered community transmissions.
The three patients in Vinh Phuc with the Indian virus strain are among six female bar staff who contracted the virus after coming into close contact with five Chinese male experts who had also been quarantined at Nhu Nguyet 2 hotel.