“There is no critical situation now”: Rospotrebnadzor specialist on the incidence of coronavirus in the Russian Federation

— Natalya Yuryevna, the number of cases of COVID-19 is gradually increasing.

Thus, the daily increase in coronavirus cases in Russia for the first time since the end of March exceeded 28.6 thousand cases.

Will there now be a question about the return of some restrictions?

- The emergence and spread of new sub-variants of the Omicron strain, of course, leads to an increase in the incidence.

But even now, the total weekly incidence of COVID-19 is at least eight to ten times lower than the total weekly incidence of influenza and SARS, which is usually recorded during the autumn-winter period - the influenza and SARS season - and cannot be compared with the incidence in Europe when in some countries it per day exceeds the number of cases detected per week in our vast country.

Therefore, there is no critical situation now, as well as the need to introduce any restrictions at the federal level.

But it is recommended to follow standard precautions - wear masks in public places, practice hand hygiene.

This is extremely important for vulnerable categories of citizens.

You should also get vaccinated if the time is right.

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- Is there seasonality in the waves of coronavirus incidence?

Could the rise be related to the summer holiday season?

— Seasonality has been traced for a long time.

Almost since the end of 2020, it has been seen that the main peaks in the incidence during the next epidemic rises occur precisely in the autumn-winter months.

I note that today's growth is more related to the change in circulating sub-variants of the virus, and not to the summer holiday season.

Indeed, in summer people spend more time outdoors, where the risks of infection are not so high.

Although in some cases increased mobility, changes in climate and time zones can still lead to a weakened immune system and contribute to the development of infection.

Many people felt this in the period after the summer holidays.

- The media reported that new subspecies of the Omicron strain were emerging, one of which was given the name Centaur.

Tell us about the differences between this subspecies, what symptoms does it usually cause?

- In Russia, the first cases of a new sub-variant of the coronavirus, nicknamed the "centaur", were identified on July 19.

All of them had a mild illness.

BA.2.75 (“centaur”) is now classified as a variant of concern by WHO.

Previously, it was considered as an option of interest.

This change was made due to the increase in detections in India and worldwide, as well as the mutational profile of this variant.

Such a profile could potentially be associated with a change in the antigenic properties of the virus.

But now there is no convincing evidence of a higher transmissibility (ease of transmission of the disease from one person to another.

) of this sub-option.

In Russia, sub-variant BA.2.75 is singled out only in isolated cases.

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— Italian researchers have concluded that one in 20 people who have been ill with coronavirus may never regain their sense of smell and taste.

Russian experts also talk about such complications.

Does post-Covid cause new, milder variants of the coronavirus?

- Post-COVID syndrome continues to be recorded in people around the world.

It is believed to occur in one in eight adults.

In some cases, with post-covid syndrome, there are signs of damage to the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and metabolic disorders.

In some patients, persistent loss of taste and smell has been observed for as long as two years.

The post-covid syndrome is more common in people at risk who carry the disease in a more severe form.

However, cases are also recorded in young people who have been ill easily.

The most common symptoms are increased fatigue and drowsiness.

It is difficult to say whether the taste or smell will finally be restored in those who experience problems with them after suffering COVID-19.

As far back as the pre-Covid era, it was shown that 1.5% of the population has problems with smell.

After 50 years, they are felt by more than 50% of the population, and after 80 years - more than 80%.

Therefore, if a person had a predisposition to these disorders even before COVID-19, then such disorders after the infection can continue indefinitely.