Vu Cao Cuong, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Health, said the capital's first Omicron community transmission case, a hotel employee, has made contact with foreign entrants infected with the variant.

A medical worker collects samples for Covid-19 testing in Hanoi, July 30, 2020.

The employee has been quarantined at the hotel and there's no risk of further infection in the community, Cuong said.

Now that Hanoi has recorded an Omicron community infection, the risk for the variant to spread among the community is possible, he said.

Hanoi has recorded 14 Omicron infection cases so far, 13 of whom were imported cases. The capital has recorded over 118,000 Covid-19 cases in the fourth coronavirus wave since last April.

Over 98 percent of the city's adult population have received at least two Covid-19 vaccine shots.

Vietnam has recorded over 160 Omicron infections nationwide, including five community transmission cases linked to a U.S. entrant in HCMC.

Vietnam’s 1st Omicron patient discharged from Hanoi hospital after two weeks

A Vietnamese man returning from the U.K., the first person diagnosed with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, was discharged from hospital Sunday after two weeks of treatment.

14,440 new Covid-19 cases, 214 more deaths, first Omicron case reported on Tuesday

14,440 new Covid-19 cases, 214 more deaths, first Omicron case reported on Tuesday.

Vietnam confirms 14 more Omicron cases

Fourteen people arriving in Vietnam from South Korea and the U.S. have been confirmed to be infected with the Omicron coronavirus strain.

Stronger measures needed amid Omicron: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on December 22 asked Covid-19 prevention and control groups and other relevant forces to double efforts in vaccinations, support patients and ensure that those under home quarantine and treatment enjoy the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Vietnam works closely with WHO, US CDC to deal with Omicron threat

Vietnam is working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) in its response to new coronavirus variant Omicron, according to Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long.

Source: VnExpress