MOSCOW. Cases of KAZINFORM COVID-19 in Russia will continue to decline until the end of October, Anatoly Altshtein, senior researcher at the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Gamaleya, told TASS.
“The occurrence of COVID-19 cases in Russia is now decreasing and will continue to decline in October, but a new wave cannot be ruled out. At present, this has definitely started in countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Austria, where a strong accumulation of cases is now being observed,” he said.
At the same time, the expert said it was difficult to say when the new wave of infection could hit Russia. However, it is conceivable that the new wave will never reach the country because of its “current weak ties with Europe,” the skilled said.
In his opinion, the existing increase in COVID-19 cases in European countries is due to a new edition of the omicron variant, such as BQ. 1. 1. Altshtein explained that new variants of omicron appear daily, but the vast majority of them are harmless. However, when a variant with greater transmissibility appears from time to time, a new wave of infection begins.
“Will the existing wave matter? In fact, I don’t expect that to be the case. Overall, the epidemic is now showing signs of abating. But around 400,000 other people still contract international infection every day, so it’s too early to say the end of the pandemic is in sight. The procedure will continue to come in waves, losing steam over time,” Altshtein said.
He said the COVID-19 wave in Russia, caused by the BA. 5 omicron variant in late July, peaked in September and cases began to decline rapidly. The virus has a low mortality rate of about 0. 3%.
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