Latest on COVID-19 in Russia

The whole world is facing a second wave of COVID-19 virus pandemic. By many estimates, the disease is spreading very rapidly, writes Alex Ivanov, Moscow correspondent.

The US, India and Brazil are leading the way. In Europe, restrictions are being imposed again: cafes and restaurants, night clubs are being closed, and borders are still closed. Russia is no exception. Although the authorities do not plan large-scale quarantine measures, however, many strict limitations have already been introduced. Students and high school students were transferred to distance learning. In many Russian regions, stricter regulations are also being imposed.

The situation with the spread of coronavirus infection in Russia is complicated, more than 2,138 million cases of infection have been recorded in the country, that is, almost 1,457 for every 100 thousand inhabitants, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at one of the official meetings.

According to her, in 32 regions of Russia, the incidence of coronavirus per 100 thousand population exceeds the average level in Russia. In total, the country recorded more than 2,138 million cases of infection, that is, almost 1,457 for every 100 thousand inhabitants. At the same time, the daily rate of increase in the incidence of coronavirus from October 1 to November 23 increased in Russia by 2.8 times – from 6.1 to 17.1 per 100 thousand population, RIA Novosti reports.

“To date, about 520 thousand medical workers, including almost 147 thousand doctors, 301 thousand secondary medical personnel, more than 71 thousand Junior medical personnel and more than 38 thousand drivers of ambulances, provide medical care with a new coronavirus infection," she added, TASS reports. Golikova also recalled that two vaccines have been registered in Russia until now against the new coronavirus infection, in addition to Sputnik, this is Epivaccorona, developed by the Novosibirsk scientific center Vector. Another vaccine is being developed and is undergoing clinical trials by the Chumakov Research center of the Russian Ministry of education and science. These clinical trials are planned to be completed by the end of December this year, she said.

"Since the final registration of the Sputnik-V vaccine, more than 117 thousand doses of the vaccine have been released into civil circulation, and manufacturers plan to produce more than 2 million doses by the end of this year. Now, first of all, people from risk groups, medical and pedagogical workers are being vaccinated, " Golikova said. According to her, mass vaccination of the population against coronavirus is planned from 2021 .

"At the same time, I want to once again draw attention to the fact that in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, vaccination is voluntary," Golikova said. Over the past day, 24,326 new cases of coronavirus were detected in Russia, with more than 2.1 million cases registered in the country.

While various government and medical authorities in Russia find it difficult to give an accurate forecast of the stabilization of the situation with the spread of coronavirus. Many cautious assumptions point to spring-summer of the next year. It is obvious that the situation is very serious and the authorities are taking this issue with maximum responsibility. President Putin regularly holds meetings with various government agencies in charge on this issue.

It is obvious that the pandemic brings huge economic losses to the country's economy. Unfortunately, the number of deaths is also increasing, which, in the context of a steady decline in the population in the country, also has a negative effect.

Nevertheless, the authorities expect to curb the virus in the near future and bring the situation to conditions where it is possible to control the rampant pandemic. Great hopes are pinned on the vaccines being developed in Russia, and interest in them is constantly growing in the world.

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