In Russia, over the past day, 24 703 new cases of coronavirus infection were detected.

During this time, 41,213 people have fully recovered in the country, 998 patients have died.

The maximum number of new cases over the past day was recorded in Moscow (2126), St. Petersburg (2117) and the Moscow region (1270).

The total number of COVID-19 cases registered in the country has reached 10,343,353. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 9,180,379 people have been cured in Russia, and 302,269 patients have died.

The latest wave of COVID-19, caused by the delta strain, has been one of the most intense since the start of the pandemic.

This was stated by the chief physician of the city clinical hospital No. 15 named after Filatov Valery Vechorko.

“The delta strain turned out to be extremely difficult, difficult for the sick, with the rapid development of respiratory failure and extensive lung damage in the shortest possible time.

As a result, there is an increase in the number of deaths, "RIA Novosti quotes him.

In turn, the Deputy Mayor of the capital Anastasia Rakova indicated that the current situation with COVID-19 in Moscow is stable and favorable.

In this regard, there is no need to establish a non-working day regime, as well as introduce new coronavirus restrictions.

“It is already roughly clear that the delta strain will not be able to raise a wave of morbidity similar to the one that it raised this fall or summer.

An immune layer has formed, the number of vaccinated, revaccinated is growing, and we see that the city, in principle, lives a full life with some completely minimal restrictions, and the incidence is falling, "RIA Novosti quoted Rakova as saying.

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At the same time, immunologist Nikolai Kryuchkov in an interview with Sputnik radio spoke about the timing of revaccination in connection with the spread of the omicron strain.

“Given what we know about the rate of spread of the omicron and its effect on the body, it is best to get the vaccine again within a time window of up to four months.

I can’t imagine people who will have a sufficient level of antibodies to protect against the omicron for nine, ten or 12 months, ”he said.

All those vaccinated with Sputnik V have a sufficient level of antibodies to the new omicron strain, said Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Center, in an interview with the Russia 24 TV channel.

“Everyone who has been vaccinated with Sputnik V, all contain the necessary, sufficient level of protective antibodies to the omicron strain,” said Gunzburg.

However, he pointed out that preliminary data indicate that omicron is not a more dangerous strain than delta.

“It's another matter that he is more contagious.

That is, it spreads much better in the population, ”he said.

New Year's holidays in schools are not planned to be extended

After the end of the New Year holidays, Russian schoolchildren will be trained in full-time format, said the head of the Ministry of Education Sergei Kravtsov.

According to him, the remote format is planned to be used only "in exceptional cases", given the epidemiological situation.

So far there are no prerequisites for this, the head of the Ministry of Education noted.

“But so far we do not see a situation to use this format or extend the holidays.

We will see how the holidays go, what the epidemiological situation will be.

As I said, while we are on schedule, ”said Kravtsov, quoted by TASS.

At the same time, the minister called on teachers and schoolchildren to comply with the recommendations of Rospotrebnadzor on New Year's holidays in order to prevent the deterioration of the epidemiological situation.

Speaking about the New Year holidays themselves, Sergei Kravtsov emphasized that their extension is not discussed, and leaving for the New Year break before the deadline set by the Ministry of Education (December 29 - January 9) is determined by the regions independently: "We see that the holidays start according to the schedule for the whole country." ...

Earlier, the Moscow authorities recommended that the capital's schools go on New Year's holidays two days earlier, from December 27.

“This does not affect the curriculum and content in any way.

Because the end of the year is basically a repetition of the material already covered.

In this regard, there are no fears, "- explained the head of the Ministry of Education.