(Photo: VNA)

Preventive health systems and medical facilities have been instructed to maintain surveillance, ensure early detection and conduct risk assessments to remain ready to respond when necessary. The ministry advised the public to be neither anxious nor complacent. People should monitor their health, maintain personal hygiene, and seek medical care if symptoms appear.

High-risk groups, including the elderly, those with underlying conditions and pregnant women, are urged to take extra precautions to reduce complications.

BA.3.2 is a subvariant of the Omicron lineage of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Initial studies show that BA.3.2 carries multiple mutations in the spike protein, the structure that enables the virus to attach to and enter human cells.

So far, there is no evidence that the BA.3.2 variant causes more severe illness than previous variants. Health authorities worldwide are continuing to monitor and assess the situation in order to provide appropriate recommendations.