Genomic sequencing at the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. — Photo courtesy of the hospital

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has recorded a further imported Omicron case, an 82-year-old woman being treated at the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

The woman arrived at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport on January 10 on a flight from the United States, tested positive for coronavirus (from a rapid test at the airport), and was moved to No.12 COVID-19 field hospital in Thủ Đức City as per protocol.

Since the patient was at elevated risk given he age, had various underlying conditions and breathing difficulties, she was transported to HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

Lê Mạnh Hùng, deputy director of the city’s tropical diseases hospital, said that at the time of hospitalisation, the woman struggled to breathe, felt very tired, had swelled legs, and the condition was predicted to get worse.

The hospital moved the patient to a separate quarantine as a precaution before receiving confirmation from the genomic sequencing team at Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the hospital that she was infected with Omicron.

It was reported that the woman received the full two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine two months ago.

Currently, her condition has improved and she can talk to staff and take care of her basic needs, Hùng said.

The woman is the 13th Omicron case in HCM City, and 51st in the country.

The previous 12 cases in the southern city were asymptomatic or mild cases, and have been discharged from hospital.

A total of 2,000 people on the same flights, and those coming into contact with the 12 cases have tested negative for coronavirus, according to HCM City health authorities. — VNS