Experts warn of things to keep in mind during the resurgence of Covid-19 cases

SARS-CoV-2 virus variant spreads more strongly

Dr. Le Kien Ngai, Head of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control, National Children's Hospital, said that Covid-19 has reappeared in some countries such as Brazil, England, Thailand...

Since the beginning of the year, our country has recorded more than 150 cases of Covid-19 in 27 provinces and cities. Although no concentrated outbreaks have been recorded, the number of cases has increased slightly in the past 3 weeks, with an average of 20 cases per week.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, the Covid-19 strain recorded in the city is not a new variant and is classified as low-risk by the World Health Organization (WHO). Many hospitals in Hanoi have recorded an increase in Covid-19 cases, but most patients are mild, and no large outbreaks have been detected.

Commenting on the Covid-19 situation returning, Dr. Ngai said that after a long period from October 2024 to early 2025, Vietnam did not record any positive cases, but now the number of cases has increased again, possibly due to reduced community immunity; the frequency of communication and contact outside the community has increased. In addition, when neighboring countries have Covid-19 outbreaks, Vietnam will also be affected.

According to this expert, the SARS-CoV-2 agent causing the Covid-19 outbreak in 2025 is all a sub-variant of the Omicron strain.

Doctors pay special attention to disease prevention for young children during the Covid-19 epidemic this year if they have had measles or have a weak immune system.

The Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.16 has emerged since 2023. Vietnam has also recorded this sub-variant. The sub-variant XBB.1.16 has the ability to spread quickly, but there is no evidence of causing more severe symptoms and there is currently no new warning for Covid-19 globally.

The Omicron XEC variant is considered a fairly new strain, however it has appeared in the world for more than a year now, mainly recorded in neighboring countries such as Thailand. Currently, the Ministry of Health 's surveillance system is monitoring, investigating and supervising to issue warnings about this variant.

Dr. Le Kien Ngai said that according to statistics, the variants recorded in this year's epidemic in some countries do not have mutations in pathogenicity but are more contagious than the old Omicron variant.

"In the context of returning to normal activities, there is a new outbreak of Covid-19 along with a measles outbreak with a fast-spreading variant, the risk of an outbreak in the community is possible. Therefore, we are not worried, not panicked, but must know the characteristics of this outbreak to be vigilant, have a ready mindset to face the epidemic, and respond promptly," said Dr. Ngai.

What should parents pay attention to during this Covid-19 outbreak?

Faced with this situation, many parents are worried about how to cope and prevent the disease, and whether this return of Covid-19 will cause more danger or not? Sharing about this content, Dr. Le Kien Ngai said that the outbreak of Covid-19 this year is quite similar to the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2024.

In 2024, from May to September, the National Children's Hospital recorded an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases admitted. At its peak, the hospital received up to 400 cases in a week for examination and treatment, but there were no dangerous outbreaks and no serious complications.

At the National Children's Hospital, from the end of April 2025 to now, the hospital has recorded many Covid-19 cases coming for examination and treatment at the hospital. The number of Covid-19 cases coming for examination in recent weeks has increased compared to previous weeks.

"Covid-19 cases only come for medical examination, we have not recorded any cases in serious condition or with complications caused by Covid-19," said Dr. Ngai.

Therefore, during the Covid-19 outbreak, Dr. Le Kien Ngai said that parents do not need to worry too much but need to actively grasp information, have disease prevention measures and be ready to respond.

However, this expert especially noted to the community that this Covid-19 outbreak coincides with a measles outbreak. Measles attacks the immune system, causing people with measles to have a severely reduced resistance. That is an easy opportunity for infectious diseases like Covid-19 to attack people who have just had measles.

"Among the Covid-19 patients coming to the National Children's Hospital for examination, we have recorded cases of people who had previously contracted measles. Therefore, we are especially aware that during this year's epidemic season, when Covid-19 breaks out along with measles outbreaks, the risk of Covid-19 becoming more dangerous and stronger, and severe complications can occur in patients with a history of measles and previously weakened immune systems," Dr. Ngai warned.

To proactively prevent and control Covid-19, the Ministry of Health continues to recommend that people take the following measures:

Wear a mask in public places, on public transport, at medical facilities.

Limit gatherings in crowded places (if not necessary).

Wash your hands frequently with clean water, soap or antiseptic solution.

Increase exercise, physical training, and proper nutrition.

If you have symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you must immediately go to the nearest medical facility for examination, monitoring, and timely treatment...

People coming to and returning from countries with high numbers of Covid-19 cases need to proactively monitor their health status to prevent and combat Covid-19 for themselves, their families and close contacts.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chuyen-gia-canh-bao-dieu-can-luu-y-trong-dot-gia-tang-ca-mac-covid-19-tro-lai-post882032.html