Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested that Russia will reach the plateau for the spread of coronavirus by mid-May. He recalled that the critical phase of the pandemic in Italy and Spain lasted a maximum of one and a half months.

“And then, in the first month of summer, it will probably become easier,” he said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty.

Peskov said that now the primary task is “to make sure that the health system does not collapse and as many lives as possible are saved.”

He added that a decision on the duration of the isolation regime would be made on the basis of current dynamics, and urged not to build far-reaching plans so far.

“It is obvious that a decision remains to be made, based on the current dynamics and on some short-term forecasts. Some forecasts for the medium term or the long term are hardly likely. Therefore, now it would probably be called a deadline with a finger in the sky, ”said Peskov.

In a conversation with reporters, the presidential spokesman also added that Vladimir Putin constantly receives reports from all departments on the situation with the coronavirus, including from the operational headquarters and the head of government.

In Russia, over the past day, 6198 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded, of which 2871 cases were in Moscow, 638 in the suburbs. Thus, the total number of people infected with coronavirus in Russia reached 87 147 people, 794 patients died, 7346 - were cured.

As reported in the operational headquarters to combat the spread of the disease, 46.5% of new infections in Moscow are people under the age of 45.

Also on russian.rt.com RT map: distribution of COVID-19 cases by regions of Russia

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that the Cabinet will soon report to Vladimir Putin on possible options for changing restrictive measures on coronavirus.

“In the near future, we will need to inform the president about possible options for changing restrictive measures recommended by specialists taking into account the current epidemiological situation,” Mishustin said during a meeting of the Presidium of the Coordinating Council for the Control of Coronavirus.

The prime minister also noted that, despite the differences between the regions in terms of the number of patients and the level of equipment of medical facilities, hospitals in each region should be provided with everything necessary for treating patients, and therefore the government will allocate appropriate medicines and equipment from the reserve.

In addition, Mishustin instructed the government apparatus to monitor the flow of funds allocated to the fight against coronavirus and economic support.

“I also instruct the government apparatus to monitor the completion of budget funds. As a result, I am waiting for the report at least twice a month, ”he said at the meeting.

Mishustin also said that he had instructed the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Economic Development, Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Health to prepare proposals for the phased lifting of restrictions for individual entrepreneurs and individual enterprises. These initiatives will be implemented as soon as the situation begins to change for the better, the head of government added.

At the same time, the World Health Organization warned that at the moment there is no evidence that patients with coronavirus develop immunity that protects them from re-infection.

“There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected against reinfection. As of April 24, 2020, no studies have evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 provides immunity to subsequent infection with this virus, ”the WHO said.

The day before, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said that Russia could avoid a peak in the incidence of coronavirus if citizens did not “break loose” during the May holidays, since non-compliance with self-isolation in early May could negate all the efforts of the authorities.

She also called for an extension of the isolation regime for at least two weeks, stating the need to wait another incubation period.

Recall that in Moscow and a number of other Russian regions since the end of March, a mandatory self-isolation regime has been in place for all citizens, regardless of age. Capital cafes, hairdressers, beauty salons and other crowded places have suspended their work. To move around Moscow and Moscow Region on any type of transport, a citizen must have a digital pass.