Russia must be prepared for a possible new increase in the number of cases of coronavirus infection, said President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with government officials.
The head of state stressed that the topic of combating COVID-19 "does not leave us alone, but the whole world."
In particular, he mentioned the situation in the United States, where over 1 million cases are detected per day against the background of the spread of the omicron strain.
According to the World Health Organization, in the week from January 3 to January 9, more than 15 million people in the world fell ill with COVID-19, which became a new anti-record.
In addition, the head of the WHO European office, Hans Kluge, warned that more than 50% of Europe's population will be infected with the omicron strain in the next six to eight weeks.
“It is also quite obvious that we are, of course, in a very difficult situation today - in a situation on the eve of some possible new outbreaks, especially since the holidays are big, communication between people was very intense at that time, and this cannot but affect the epidemiological situation in the country, ”Putin said.
In this regard, he urged the regions to prepare for a possible outbreak of the disease due to the spread of the omicron strain.
“In order to work effectively, we need to mobilize all kinds of institutions: federal, regional, local, and sectoral.
We need to work with everyone and be prepared for a possible impact of this virus on its new round.
We see what is happening in the world.
This suggests that we have at least a couple of weeks to get ready, ”said the President of the Russian Federation.
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stressed that the new mutation SARS-CoV-2 will inflict the "first blow" on the Moscow region.
“We already understand, and it is obvious, unfortunately, that we cannot avoid a new epidemic rise. But our task is to take comprehensive measures to curb the spread of the infection, ”she stressed.
Golikova also pointed out that the government is working on "additional urgent response measures" in case the epidemiological situation worsens due to the omicron strain: "We assume that such proposals will be formulated by us before the end of this week."
At the same time, according to her, 698 cases of the disease with a new COVID-19 mutation have already been identified in Russia, while the level of herd immunity to coronavirus in Russia has reached 63.2%
According to the headquarters, the daily increase in new cases of COVID-19 in the Russian Federation amounted to 17 946. The largest number of new episodes were recorded in Moscow (4008), St. Petersburg (1659) and the Moscow region (1238).
The total number of detected cases of coronavirus for the entire time is 10,702,150.
Also over the past day, 745 deaths were recorded.
In total, 318,432 patients with COVID-19 have died in the Russian Federation.
Recovered 9,758,364 people (26,346 - over the last day).
On the eve of the chief sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation Anna Popova announced the risks of a "very intensive" spread of the omicron strain.
According to her, in an unfavorable scenario, the number of daily detected cases in the country may increase to six-digit figures.
Also on January 11, the first test system was registered in Russia to detect the omicron strain.
It was developed at the Center for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Biomedical Agency.
Its purpose: use in clinical laboratory diagnostics.
“The developed set of reagents allows for 1.5 hours with high sensitivity to identify and differentiate genovariants of the omicron and delta viruses in one test tube.
The relevance of the development of this kit is dictated by the need to quickly detect the new omicron variant against the background of its lightning-fast spread and displacement of the currently circulating delta variant, - said German Shipulin, Deputy Director of the Center for Special Control of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia.
According to him, this unique medical device will allow monitoring the circulation of the omicron strain in the country, which will improve the implementation of anti-epidemic and clinical measures.
Recognition of "Sputnik V" in the EU
Inspectors from the European Medicines Agency continue the procedure for the gradual examination of the Russian vaccine against the Sputnik V coronavirus, the press service of the EU pharmaceutical regulator said.
It was also confirmed that European experts in 2021 conducted an audit of the clinical and industrial practice of the drug.
Details of these activities will be contained in the final report of the EMA, which will be published after the end of the vaccine evaluation procedure.
“The examination continues.
The EMA will be able to substantively talk about the possible timing of the decision (on the approval of the vaccine in the EU. -
RT
), when the EMA target group invites the developer to submit an application for a marketing authorization to the agency.
Such a proposal will take into account the reliability of the data obtained as a result of the gradual examination procedure, "- quotes the text of the message RIA Novosti.
The Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology received a "positive opinion" from EMA experts regarding clinical trials of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.
This was announced on January 11 by the deputy director of the Center Denis Logunov.
According to him, now the process of recognition of the domestic drug is "at the stage of harmonization of production standards."
As a reminder, Russia applied to the European Medicines Agency to register Sputnik V in Eurosoz on January 29, 2021.
At the end of April, the first stage of the vaccine examination was completed.
In June, it was reported that EMA inspectors had completed inspections of the Sputnik V sites.
In August, RDIF said that the approval process for the Russian vaccine "is proceeding in a positive and professional manner."
In September, the EMA announced the need to obtain additional data on Sputnik V.