Hanoi (VNA), Jan. 24 -- SARS-CoV-2's sub-variant JN.1 , a variant of concern, has been found in COVID-19 patients hospitalised in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2023, according to Deputy Director of the city Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) Le Hong Nga.

An infectious disease surveillance group from the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) found the sub-variant in December after analysing specimens of 16 patients positive to SARS-CoV-2 treated at the city Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Nga said at a conference on January 24.

The group said that 12 out of the 16 patients, or 75%, were infected with the JN.1 sub-variant, while one was infected with the JN.1.1 variant, two with BA.2.86...