For the first time since March 20: more than 30 thousand new cases of COVID-19 were detected in Russia per day

In Russia, for the first time over the past day, 33,106 new cases of coronavirus infection were detected (a day earlier - 23,909) - the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 exceeded 30 thousand for the first time since March 20 (31,035).

According to Rospotrebnadzor, the increase in the incidence of coronavirus in the country occurs under the conditions of circulation of genovariants BA.4 and BA.5 of the Omicron strain.

“The currently prevailing BA.4/BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron strain are characterized by a higher contagiousness, but a milder clinical course.

At the same time, infection with such strains can pose a danger to people who have not been vaccinated against coronavirus and who have not previously been ill, as well as to people at risk - over 65 years of age and with chronic diseases, ”the ministry said in a statement.

According to infectious disease doctor Yevgeny Timakov, the sense of smell disappears much less frequently when infected with new variants of COVID-19.

“This is a headache, this is hoarseness, this is a runny nose, lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract. -

), increased sweating and sleep disturbance,” he said, describing the main symptoms of sub-options BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.75, reports TASS.

Most of the new cases over the past 24 hours were detected in Moscow (10,241, for the first time since February 16 in the capital over 10 thousand cases), St. Petersburg (3881) and the Moscow region (1968).

During this period, 3167 hospitalizations were recorded, which is 7.2% more than on August 16 (3411).

At the same time, an increase in the number of hospitalizations was noted in 39 regions, and a decrease in 42 regions.

During the day, 22,680 people recovered, 63 patients died from complications that developed against the background of COVID-19 and concomitant diseases over the past day.

According to infectious disease doctor Nikolai Malyshev, the peak incidence of coronavirus in Moscow will occur at the beginning of September, when the vacation period ends.

“First, there will be an increase in the next week, then after some time a decrease, in two or three weeks.

And it will be gradual.

Now it is flaring up gradually, everything will intensify, ”RIA Novosti quotes him.

In turn, Honored Doctor of Russia, epidemiologist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Onishchenko noted that, despite the increase in the number of new cases, restrictive measures should not be introduced throughout the country.

“It is impossible to introduce and cancel (restrictions) for the entire huge country, in each region you need to look at the situation.

Moreover, we have headquarters for coronavirus in each subject, ”he explained.

• © RIA Novosti / Ilya Naimushin

Meanwhile, the day before, Rospotrebnadzor made a recommendation to introduce a mask regime in regions where the weekly covid incidence rate exceeds 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

“In the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, where the weekly incidence rate exceeds 50 cases per 100,000 population, it is advisable to recommend wearing masks in public places, in crowded places, in transport and indoors (at the place of work or study).

A letter with relevant recommendations has been sent to the territorial bodies and organizations of Rospotrebnadzor, ”the message said.

The recommendation of Rospotrebnadzor to resume the mask regime in regions with an unfavorable epidemiological situation is “legitimate and timely,” Fedot Tumusov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, told RT.

“We have gone through two terrible years when people were dying, there was a very high incidence, so I hope that the Russians understand: first of all, you need to start with yourself.

Starting with masks and ending with social distancing, washing hands... We ourselves need to understand that this is a real danger and take care of ourselves," he stressed, adding that awareness of COVID-19 "should be strengthened."

In turn, Tatyana Solomatina, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, noted that wearing masks in the presence of an illness is “a good manners rule.”

“I think that a mask is needed where there is a large crowd of people, especially in medical institutions.

For people who go to clinics, hospitals, shopping centers, the mask will not only not hurt, it will protect the person who is still healthy and the one who is sick, ”said the interlocutor of RT.