All cases of COVID-19 in Russia are imported.

This was announced by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

“In Russia, there have been recorded cases of COVID-19 caused by the omicron strain, while, as previously reported, all these cases are currently imported.

Other cases of the disease on the territory of the Russian Federation, caused by the specified strain, have not been identified at the moment, "- quotes the statement of the ministry RIA Novosti.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Mikhail Murashko, said that there is an emergence of imported cases of omicron in Russia.

He said that the department will develop new recommendations for the treatment of COVID-19 disease caused by the omicron.

According to him, according to the results of studies to assess the effectiveness of treatment, the need to "change certain approaches" was identified.

“Yesterday a commission of experts from the Ministry of Health was already working, which is developing new recommendations for the treatment of diseases caused by the new strain,” said Murashko, noting that some of the positions have already been agreed.

The minister stressed that this option is spreading much faster than the previous strains.

The head of the Ministry of Health also clarified that the course of the disease after infection with omicron is similar in symptoms to the flu.

“Therefore, differential diagnosis using rapid diagnostic tools for a new coronavirus infection is important,” he said.

In particular, Murashko noted the need to diagnose coronavirus in children's groups due to the omicron strain.

“Children are more often involved in the infectious process, so teaching children safe behavior, timely diagnosis of infectious diseases within children's teams to minimize risks is another important component,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the first batches of the coronavirus vaccine for adolescents, Sputnik M, were released into civilian circulation, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the Roszdravnadzor data register.

“Date of entry in the AIS of Roszdravnadzor: 12.24.2021.

Trade name: Gam-COVID-Vac-M Combined vector vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ”the registry says.

In Russia, over the past day, 24,946 new cases of coronavirus infection were detected.

During this time, 42,107 people have fully recovered in the country, 981 patients have died.

The largest number of new cases was recorded in Moscow (2714), St. Petersburg (2072) and the Moscow region (1431).

The total number of COVID-19 cases registered in the country has reached 10,368,299. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 9,222,486 people have been cured in Russia, and 303,250 patients have died.

The capital's operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus reported that 748 people were hospitalized in Moscow per day, 527 people are on mechanical ventilation.

According to the headquarters, almost 6.3 million people were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Moscow.

“6 670 105 - vaccination with the first component, 6 268 959 - full vaccination,” the headquarters website says.

It is noted that in Moscow, collective immunity to COVID-19 is 72%.

On the eve of the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov noted that it is impossible to predict the timing of the end of the pandemic, recalling the spread of the "omicron".

“We see what is happening with the omicron in Europe, we understand with you that the omicron is already here,” he said.

The herd immunity level in Russia is currently 60.4%.

More than 77.8 million Russians have been vaccinated with the first component of the COVID-19 vaccine, and over 73 million have been vaccinated with the two.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that the coronavirus situation has improved in 17 regions, and the deterioration is noted in two.

"Russia, unlike European countries, while it manages to cope with the pandemic without serious restrictions, it is important to maintain this balance, observing preventive measures during the holidays," RIA Novosti quoted her as saying.

The day before, President Vladimir Putin noted that the number of victims of the coronavirus is still high.

“The epidemic, as we know, has not yet receded.

Unfortunately, the number of daily infections and losses is too high, ”he said.

In this regard, the head of state urged to continue work on the fight against coronavirus and pay special attention to health issues, especially during the New Year holidays.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the omicron strain has already been identified in 110 countries of the world.

They emphasized that this variant of the coronavirus is spreading faster than the "delta", but at the same time it may be less severe.