In relation to the main infectious disease specialist of the Stavropol Territory, professor of the Stavropol Academy of Medicine Irina Sannikova, who became infected with the coronavirus infection COVID-2019, a criminal case has been initiated on violation of the self-isolation regime in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This was reported by the press service of the regional administration of the Investigative Committee.

“The first department to investigate particularly important cases of the investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Stavropol Territory opened a criminal case on the grounds of crimes under Art. 237 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Concealment of information on circumstances that create a danger to human life or health") and Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (“Negligence”), ”the report said.

According to the investigation, in early March Sannikova, professor of the department of infectious diseases and phthisiology of Stavropol State Medical University and the main freelance specialist for infectious diseases of the regional Ministry of Health, did not inform her management that she was on vacation in Spain, where she was from March 6 to 9 , and also did not take measures for 14-day isolation in order to prevent the spread of infection during the pandemic. It is noted that the woman led a daily lifestyle, in particular, attending conferences and the university until March 17 she was hospitalized in the hospital, where she was diagnosed with coronavirus.

Along with this, officials of the executive bodies of state power of the Stavropol Territory and the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare were inadequately monitored.

“At present, a complex of investigative actions is being carried out in the criminal case, aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the acts committed and the persons to be attracted as accused. The criminal investigation is ongoing, ”the department explained.

At the same time, Yury Litvinov, First Deputy Minister of Health of the region on the air of Channel One, said that Irina Sannikova was excluded from the list of the main freelance infectious disease specialists of the Stavropol Ministry of Health.

In addition, it became known about the proposal of the Ministry of Justice to amend the Code of Administrative Offenses, providing for liability for violations of the quarantine rules. As it became known to RIA Novosti, the new measures will be aimed at "ensuring strict compliance with the legislation in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population."

In addition, the Investigative Committee began a procedural check in connection with the dissemination of inaccurate information regarding the number of patients with COVID-19 in Russia in order to increase panic. Verification started under Part 1 of Art. 237 of the Criminal Code (“Distortion of information about events, facts or phenomena that create a danger to human life or health”) and part 4 of article 128.1 of the Criminal Code (“Defamation”).

In turn, the president of the National Medical Chamber, a union of the medical community, Dr. Leonid Roshal believes that the coronavirus pandemic that has unfolded in the world is a "rehearsal of biological warfare."

“We are only talking about this now, we are not talking about nuclear war, we are not talking about terrorism. And how general is the health care of the world for this, and how ready are we for it. And we must have reasonable sufficiency, ”he said on the Russia 24 television channel.

However, he noted that what is happening indicates the need for healthcare development in all regions of Russia.

Recall, on March 23, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin introduced new measures in the capital to prevent the spread of infection. First of all, they affect people over 65 and suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and those who have had a heart attack or stroke. They are ordered from March 26 to April 14 to be in home quarantine and not to visit any public places.

“I hope that the measures announced today to counteract coronavirus infection will be taken with understanding. In the current situation, they are absolutely necessary, ”said Sobyanin.

Also on russian.rt.com RT card: in which regions of Russia coronavirus infection COVID-19 was recorded

According to the latest data, a total of 438 confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus infection were registered in Russia. Moreover, already 17 people recovered after infection.