The incidence of COVID-19 is growing in Russia and the world

In Russia, the incidence of coronavirus has increased by more than 30% over the past week. This was reported in the federal headquarters for the fight against infection. The wave of COVID-19 is growing around the world, and in some regions – in the Middle East, Asia and Europe – the number of deaths is increasing. Russia, according to WHO, is third in this indicator: 158 people died in the country in four weeks. Russian experts attribute the increase in the incidence to the end of the holiday season and the approach of autumn cold weather and urge citizens from risk groups to get vaccinated. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do this: federal support for the purchase of anti-coronavirus vaccines ended in April 2023.

From August 28 to September 3, 31.6% more Russians were infected with a coronavirus infection than in the previous week, the federal headquarters for combating coronavirus reported. The incidence rate rose to 3.7 per 100,000 people. On the portal “Stopcoronavirus.rf” it is indicated that 53 regions have become sick with covid more often, including 10 of them – more than the national average. 1857 people were infected in Moscow475 – in Petersburg170 – in Bashkiria147 – in Samara region144 – in Krasnodar Territory123 – in Perm region117 – in Sverdlovsk region103 – in Chelyabinsk region.

During the week with coronavirus, 172 people were hospitalized – 13.2% more than the previous one. 3,655 people recovered, or 17.8% more than the previous week. 16 people died in a week.

More than 1.4 million new cases of COVID-19 and more than 1.8 thousand deaths were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from July 31 to August 27, 2023.

The number of sick people in the world during this time has become 38% more than in the previous 28-day period, and the number of deaths from covid is 50% less. At the same time, in some regions, mortality is increasing.

So, most of the cases in four weeks were detected in Republic of Korea – 1 296 710. Followed by Italy (26 998), Great Britain (26 264), Australia (20 628) and Singapore (20,432). Korea also has the most deaths from July 31 to August 27, with 596. Italy is next (192), Russia (158), Australia (145) and China (135). The rising number of deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the Middle East, Asia and Europe shows that the virus is not going anywhere, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing on Wednesday. According to him, less than 25% of the world’s countries continue to provide data on deaths and hospitalizations, which means that the global community “will continue to need tools to fight coronavirus.”

Vladimir Chulanov, chief freelance specialist in infectious diseases of the Russian Ministry of Health, links the increase in the incidence of coronavirus with the return of people from vacations and the formation of teams in educational institutions. Andrey Ryabkov, a therapist at the Budu online health management service, adds that the onset of cold weather and the change of seasons increase the risk of contracting coronavirus and other viral infections.

Many people have reduced immunity. Because of this, the risk of contracting covid and viral diseases increases.

The scientific director of the network of immunorehabilitation and preventive medicine clinics Grand Clinic, Olga Shuppo, recalls that in early autumn, the number of cases in general increases – as the body’s adaptive resources are weakened, the resistance of the immune system to the viral load decreases. But the new wave of coronavirus, according to her, should not become large-scale: they learned how to treat the virus, it is easier to tolerate, and the number of deaths has decreased.

The chief physician of the 2nd diagnostic department of JSC “Medicine” (clinic of academician Roitberg) Maxim Tersky recalls that the virus has mutated once again. Thus, the new strain of Pirola evades antibodies, bypassing the immune defenses, much more successfully than all its predecessors. “At the same time, the disease passes in a relatively mild form, as with infection with other Omicron strains,” Mr. Tersky continues. “It is obvious that the impending wave is not yet at its peak, the incidence numbers will still grow. But the overall public health risk is assessed by the WHO as low. At the same time, WHO experts recommend maintaining the medical infrastructure previously created to combat COVID in readiness.”

According to Vladimir Chulanov, vaccination remains an effective way to prevent the disease, especially its severe course and deaths. At the same time, the decision on the need for vaccination, the expert of the Ministry of Health emphasized, is made by each region of the Russian Federation independently.

Federal support for procurement of anti-coronavirus vaccines ended in April 2023. Now the regions are forced to purchase drugs at the expense of their budgets.

At the expense of citizens, it conducts immunization, in particular, the Murmansk region, reported Vedomosti with reference to the representative of the Ministry of Health of the subject. The department explained this by the fact that the region has a favorable epidemic situation for COVID-19 and there are no indications for mass vaccination.

Associate Professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the RUDN University Sergey Voznesensky emphasizes that back in May, WHO announced on the end of the coronavirus pandemic as a public health emergency and suggested that COVID-19 be treated as a seasonal viral infection. “A huge number of cases of the disease, which will require huge resources, is not expected. But our fellow citizens are still dying from covid. Yes, the number of deaths is minimal, but even one human life is valuable,” says Mr. Voznesensky. “Therefore, it makes sense to continue vaccination in risk groups: among the elderly, people with chronic diseases and healthcare workers.”

To protect yourself from coronavirus infection and other respiratory viral infections, Andrei Ryabkov adds, you should be less likely to be in crowded places, use medical masks and wash your hands more often, especially after visiting public places and transport. “You can also use antiseptics, for example, after traveling in public transport. It is advisable to get vaccinated against the flu. In case of symptoms, it is necessary to stay at home so as not to infect others, and call a doctor. To support immunity, it is important to monitor your diet, include more seasonal vegetables and fruits in your diet, pay attention to sleep patterns and activity levels. You can also turn on the intake of vitamins (but after consulting a doctor),” advises Mr. Ryabkov.

Natalia Kostarnova