“Pirola” or “Omicron”: which strain caused a sharp increase in the incidence of coronavirus?

Against the background of the worsening epidemiological situation in Moscow, a reserve Covid hospital was again deployed, and mandatory wearing of masks was returned to the Government House. At the same time, the medical community predicts that the wave is just beginning, and its peak should be expected in October-November.

In addition, Rospotrebnadzor reported the emergence of a new variant of the virus – “Pirola”. This is one of the variations of the already familiar “Omicron”, which, although it occurs more easily than its earlier counterparts, nevertheless has a greater ability to spread.

Compared to Delta, there are as many mutations in Pyrol as there were in the Omicron genome. But our body has already managed to adapt, so there most likely will not be a general pandemic. But we should not forget that a seasonal surge in incidence is still occurring – although it is not associated with Pirola, but with other variants of Omicron, which have already become widespread.

In May of this year, the World Health Organization announced that the COVID-19 pandemic in the world was over. But already in August, according to the same WHO, the number of cases increased sharply. The fact is that the coronavirus continues to show its extraordinary ability to mutate: new strains, “Eris” and “Pirola,” turned out to be more infectious than their predecessors.

The symptoms of the disease became smoother, more reminiscent of the usual ARVI or flu.

Treatment methods and the list of drugs for coronavirus are constantly changing, as clinical trial data is regularly updated.

Recently, the Russian Ministry of Health updated recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus infection; the corresponding document was published on department website.

“Experts from the Russian Ministry of Health have adjusted recommendations for doctors on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, and updated information has been sent to all medical institutions,” the message says.

It is noted that the following changes have been made to the recommendations:

– information on the drugs used in treatment has been clarified;

– updated information on providing assistance to people with cancer, chronic kidney disease and mental disorders; – added subsections on the treatment of patients with diseases of the blood system, including recipients of hematopoietic blood stem cells and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells;

– the list of regulatory documents that contain measures to prevent the risks of spreading the disease has been updated;

– updated information about circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to the document, the new recommendations included the Gam-COVID-Vac-D vaccine for children from six to eleven years old.

The Ministry of Health emphasized that COVID-19 is becoming a seasonal infection. The incubation period averages three to four days, but can be as long as seven. Previously, it lasted up to 14 days. The symptoms of the disease became even more similar to ARVI.

Considering the similarity of symptoms of mild forms of COVID-19 and ARVI, the latest version of the document includes a recommendation from the Ministry of Health for patients with initial symptoms of ARVI, if suspected or in contact with patients with COVID-19, to prescribe drugs based on molecules with a direct antiviral effect against viral RNA polymerase (molnupiravir, favipiravir). At the beginning of February 2022, the Ministry of Health registered the first Russian drug based on molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19. The drug is sold in Russia under the trade name Esperavir.

In the Russian Federation, molnupiravir is registered for the treatment of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) with mild or moderate severity in adults, including those with an increased risk of disease progression to severe disease and not requiring additional oxygen therapy.

The wave of COVID-19 is growing throughout the world, and in certain regions – the Middle East, Asia and Europe – the number of deaths is also increasing. Experts suggest that the peak incidence may occur in November. Then the incidence is likely to decline. But already at the beginning of 2024, Pirola could reach Russia, more aggressive than its predecessors and, according to scientists, capable of bypassing immune defenses and antibodies. This variety of Omicron is not yet considered more dangerous, but more suspicious.

Information has already begun to appear that the mask regime is being introduced in various institutions: in the government building, a mask regime was introduced on September 18, the Ministry of Health instructed the regions to prepare for the return of the mask regime in hospitals.

According to RBC sources, in the Government House, in addition to the return of masks, the number of visitors and personal contacts between employees will be reduced. In addition, it is recommended to reduce business trips both abroad and in Russia. The Kremlin has not yet introduced a mask regime, said Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. He recalled that the incidence has a certain seasonality, and allowed an increase in the number of infected people.

On September 27, Rospotrebnadzor reported that at the moment there are no prerequisites for introducing a mask regime throughout the country. However, the situation remains under control, and such a decision can be made if there are serious reasons.

The best protection against severe forms of coronavirus is still vaccination.

Vaccination is recommended for pensioners and those citizens who are at risk due to health conditions, as well as teachers, doctors and all those who, on duty, constantly communicate with a large number of people.

Due to the large number of concomitant diseases, pensioners may suffer the most from new types of coronavirus. Therefore, in addition to vaccination and revaccination, doctors recommend that this category of citizens observe a mask regime, avoid places with large crowds of people, ventilate the room more often, eat healthy food to strengthen the immune system, and regularly wash their hands with antiseptics.