The Steering Committee meeting was on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A person who came in contact with some among the 13 imported cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant is the first recorded case of Omicron in the community in the capital city, according to information announced at a Hà Nội COVID-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee meeting Wednesday.

In the meeting, Vũ Cao Cương, deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Health, said that there was a risk of community transmission of Omicron in Hà Nội.

The capital city has now seen 118,111 cases and is still on alert level two (medium-risk).

"In the coming weeks we could see a slight drop in daily cases," said Cương. "The drop will be caused by people travelling back home for Tết, and daily cases will return to 3,000 cases per day after the holiday if people do not adhere to prevention methods."

To curb the rise of the pandemic, Hà Nội will raise awareness among citizens, as well as reduce large gatherings.

Hà Nội has administered a total of 14.541 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, with first-dose coverage for people above 50 years reaching 99.3 per cent, second-dose coverage at 98.3 per cent. About 2.1 million people have received the booster shots.

During the fourth wave starting since late April last year, Hà Nội has recorded a cumulative total of 117,871 COVID-19 infections, with 45,720 active cases. More than 36,000 cases are treated at home.— VNS