Research lab of the Military Central Hospital 108, where genomic sequencing of COVID-19 cases are conducted. — Photo courtesy of the hospital

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s first confirmed Omicron case has been discharged from a hospital in Hà Nội on Sunday after testing negative for coronavirus a day earlier.

Military Central Hospital 108 – which has been treating the Omicron patient, a man arriving from the UK into Việt Nam on December 19 and got positive result for a rapid antigen test done at Nội Bài International Airport and was moved into isolation immediately – said after two weeks, the man had been released from its care this morning.

He did not show symptoms during the isolation period, the hospital said.

The hospital concluded the man was infected with the variant of concern on December 21, using Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ sequencer.

Following the discharge, the hospital will continue to coordinate with the recovered patient's family to monitor and manage his health at home, ensuring the safety of the community.

The hospital calls on people to strictly follow pandemic prevention and control regulations, especially to protect high-risk groups such as the elderly or people with underlying health conditions.

20 Omicron cases confirmed to date in Việt Nam (all imported) have reportedly been asymptomatic or mild cases, the latest five discovered in HCM City have tested negative after five days or a week after testing positive for the new variant. — VNS