The incidence of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and coronavirus is growing throughout the country

In 35 cities of Russia, epidemic thresholds for the incidence of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are seriously exceeded. Vladimir Chulanov, chief freelance specialist in infectious diseases of the Russian Ministry of Health, announced this on Wednesday. Over the past few years, concerns have largely been caused by the situation with coronavirus, but now the Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor are wary of the growth rates of other acute respiratory viral infections, in particular influenza. To stop the spread of infections, sanitary doctors close classrooms, kindergartens and schools for quarantine, and also recommend that citizens return to the mask regime.

The traditional season of colds has begun in Russia: epidemic thresholds for the incidence of influenza and ARVI have been exceeded by 20% or more in 35 cities of Russia. At the same time, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said that the agency does not yet plan to introduce a mask regime in Russia. But reasons to apply this restrictive measure among professional groups are emerging, and such decisions are already being made in different regions, Ms. Popova added.

So, in Tomsk region Seven schools and two kindergartens have already been closed, as well as 70 classes in 24 schools and nine groups in five kindergartens. On Wednesday, the head of the epidemiological surveillance department of the local department of Rospotrebnadzor, Andrei Rudikov, said that from September 18 to 24, 11 thousand cases of ARVI were registered in this region, which is 84% ​​higher than the epidemiological threshold (in Tomsk – 21%).

IN Kuzbass Rospotrebnadzor informed that the epidemiological threshold had been exceeded following the results of the week of September 11–17. During these days, 19.2 thousand cases of ARVI were registered in the region – 76.1% more than in the previous week. As a result, the incidence rate was 21% above the threshold.

IN Altai Republic, as indicated in the summary of the regional department of Rospotrebnadzor, based on the results of the week of September 18–24, the epidemic threshold was exceeded only among the adult population. In the Altai Territory, Rospotrebnadzor recommended that local residents wear masks in public places, including in medical institutions. In the Novosibirsk region, hospital patients will be limited in their ability to visit relatives – they will have to prove to the hospital doctors the need for such a visit.

IN Perm region An intensive increase in the incidence of ARVI began in the second half of September. According to the regional department of Rospotrebnadzor, during the week from September 11 to 17, 14,561 cases of ARVI were registered in the region, which exceeded the previous week by 37.2%. Last week, from September 18 to 24, 21,013 cases of infection were detected (+44.3% compared to the previous week). The greatest increase in incidence is observed among the adult population.

The incidence of coronavirus infection in the Perm region has also been growing over the past two weeks. During the period from September 11 to 17, 296 people fell ill with COVID-19 in the region, compared to 166 people infected a week earlier (an increase of 78.3%), during the week from September 18 to 24 – another 453 people (+53%). In 100% of cases, the omicron strain is identified.

The Smolny epidemic certificate states 269 new cases of coronavirus in St. Petersburg on September 27th. The operational headquarters does not disclose daily statistics. During the week from September 18 to 24, 1,204 new cases of coronavirus were detected in the city, 129 people were hospitalized, and four died. Rospotrebnadzor in St. Petersburg reported an increase in the incidence of influenza and ARVI by 10.8% per week. The department did not respond to Kommersant’s request about the number of sick people. According to them, the incidence has increased in all age groups, but its level is below the threshold level. More than half of those who applied to medical institutions – 54.9% – are children under 14 years of age.

IN Voronezh region for the week from September 18 to 24, 117 cases of COVID-19 were registered, which is almost 57% higher than the incidence rate of the previous week (113). During the week from September 11 to 17, an increase in incidence of 68.66% was recorded compared to the previous week (67). According to the Voronezh department of Rosprirodnadzor, as of September 20, 7,281 people fell ill with ARVI and influenza during the week—almost 38% more than the week before (4,511). Against this background, the Voronezh mayor’s office and the regional government introduced a mask regime at meetings.

IN Sverdlovsk region, according to the local Rospotrebnadzor, over 39.2 thousand cases of ARVI were registered over the previous week. Of these, more than 18.6 thousand are in Yekaterinburg. Note that 64% of all cases are children. As a result, two schools in Yekaterinburg have been completely transferred to distance learning and six kindergartens have been closed.

Office of Rospotrebnadzor Volgograd region reported an increase in the incidence of ARVI by 24%. Experts note that every fourth patient is a schoolchild. The main way to prevent the spread is immunization – 11.7% are covered with flu vaccinations.

Ekaterina Serebrennikova, a general practitioner at the medical technical company Doctor Nearby, does not see anything surprising in the regional statistics: autumn is the beginning of the cold season, and it’s not a matter of people’s reduced immunity.

“The increase in cases at this time of year is due to increased social contacts and virus seasons. Each of the viruses has its own seasonality, when they “feel better.” This seasonality continues until spring.” Olesya Savelyeva, senior physician at JSC Meditsina (clinic of Academician Roitberg), clarifies that ARVI is a general term used to describe a wide range of upper respiratory tract infections: runny nose, cough, sore throat and sore throat. ARVI can be caused by various families of viruses, such as rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses and others. In most cases, ARVI is mild and self-cures in a few days without specific treatment. COVID-19 causes an acute respiratory illness that can have a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Unlike other acute respiratory viral infections, COVID-19 can be severe and have serious complications, especially in people over 60 years of age and in people with weakened immune systems.

Influenza is a type of acute respiratory viral infection caused by influenza viruses. Influenza is divided into several types and subtypes, such as influenza A, B, and C. Influenza can also be severe and have complications, especially in children, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses. Since the symptoms of all these infections can overlap, Ms. Savelyeva recommends seeing a doctor to get the right treatment.

Natalya Kostarnova; regional corset “Kommersant”