Russia is preparing itself for another COVID-19 wave early next year, fueled largely by the spread of the highly contagious Omicron strain that has rocked markets and lawmakers in recent weeks, in political circles. Three sources told Reuters.
“A new wave is expected in January-February,” a source close to the Kremlin said, adding that daily infections of more than 50,000 were possible.
Two regional government sources said the possibility of a new wave early next year was discussed at government meetings.
Russia’s daily COVID-19 cases have been declining since peaking at 41,335 in early November, and although widespread restrictions have not been put in place to tackle the spread of Omicron, officials have been calling Russia’s long New Year holidays. Before, caution is urged.
“We are looking at Omicron and so far the understanding is that the disease is milder than Delta’s,” said a source close to the Kremlin. Work was underway to ensure the hospital bed capacity.
“But again, the expectation is that Omicron can have fewer hospitalizations than Delta, people tend to stay at home.”
The Kremlin has often expressed dismay at the slow public pace of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine. Russia’s collective immunity against COVID-19, which the government’s coronavirus task force measures using data on vaccination and infection, stood at 61.8% as of December 30.
A governor’s health adviser in central Russia said another wave was expected in early 2022.
“We expect a new wave at this time, we are waiting for our compatriots to return from abroad with Omicron after the New Year,” said the adviser.
A separate source in a Northern Territory government told Reuters that the new wave was discussed in meetings with Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, but may not be as strong as Omicron’s symptoms are less severe. can be.
Anna Popova, the head of consumer health regulator Rospotrebnadzor, said on Thursday that Russia has detected 103 omicron cases so far.
“We understand that Omicron will come to Russia, it is inevitable,” Popova said in an interview with state television.
Popova said on Tuesday that the risk of spreading Omicron will certainly increase after the New Year holidays, which run from January 1-9.
“We can expect the epidemiological situation to worsen after these holiday days,” she said.
The health ministry and the coronavirus task force were not immediately available for comment.
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