A COVID-19 patient who is receiving treatment in Ho Chi Minh City has been found carrying the new coronavirus variant originating in the UK.

The variant was detected in patient No. 1,660, Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, confirmed on Monday.

The infirmary’s research group led by Dr. Chau, in coordination with molecular biology experts from Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) represented by Dr. Le Van Tan, previously conducted the genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variant in the patient’s throat swab.

The result of mutation analysis using the CoV-GLUE application showed that the genome of the virus was carrying 17 typical mutations of the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant.

The B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant is believed to be more transmissible, Dr. Chau stated, adding that it has been causing serious outbreaks in the UK and other European countries.

Patient No. 1,660, a man hailing from the northern province of Hai Duong, previously came into close contact with patient No. 1,612 at a wedding party in Hai Duong on January 18.

On January 28, he went to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and traveled to Ho Chi Minh City via flight VN213.

After arriving in the southern metropolis, he took a taxi to Nhu Quynh Hotel on Dang Minh Khiem Street in District 11.

He filled out his health declaration later the same day and was brought to a quarantine center.

The man tested positive for the novel coronavirus on January 30 and was taken to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for treatment.

A total of 134 passengers and crew members on flight VN213 have been tested for COVID-19.

Among them, 95 have tested negative for the novel coronavirus, while the remaining 39 are still waiting for their results.

Vietnam has documented 1,851 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, with 1,460 having recovered and 35 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

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