#COVID-19 - Is pandemic over in Russia?

It seems that people in Europe are beginning to return to their usual way of life and authorities there are gradually and cautiously lifting many of the restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Russia is no exception in this regard, writes Alex Ivanov, Moscow correspondent. What is really happening here? Is the virus really retreating?

On 17 July, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that 60% of the capital's residents are already immune to the coronavirus. According to him, the same situation with collective immunity has developed in New York.

"If 60% of Muscovites have antibodies, this is very good news, which indicates the formation of an almost sufficient immune layer. And this can explain why the number of cases in Moscow is not growing, despite the fact that not all residents of the capital follow the recommendations of epidemiologists. If we cross this threshold, the disease will go away on its own, without a second wave," explained Dr. Alexander Lukashev from Sechenov Medical University. “In Russian regions, where so far there has been a small number of cases and collective immunity has not yet been developed, outbreaks of coronavirus are likely,” the expert concluded.

Epidemiologists believe that in Russia the number of infections may go up in regions that have so far had few confirmed cases of COVID-19. At the same time, there will no longer be a second wave in large cities where collective immunity has been developed. Now the virus is actively developing in those territories where previously the number of infected was small.

In Moscow and the Moscow region, the peak of the epidemic has already passed, but in many other regions of the country, the situation continues to be tense. Among them are Sverdlovsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Omsk, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Orenburg, Kurgan, Sakhalin and other regions.

According to official data, the number of infected in Russia is approaching 800,000 with relatively low deaths, around 13,000. As reported by the so called Operation Headquarter on coronavirus, new cases were detected in 83 regions of the country, about 25% of those infected have no clinical manifestations.

The Russian Federation has started gradually lifting restrictions on international flights since July 15. Authorities consider it is appropriate to start allowing flights only from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Vladivostok.

There are numerous reports that as soon as the regions began to lift the quarantine and remove one restriction after another, many Russians relaxed and forgot about basic precautions. On the streets people in masks and gloves are less common, and the social distance of one and a half meter is not observed in shops and public transport. People ride in packed trams and minibuses, sunbathe on officially closed beaches, not thinking that they risk their safety and the health of other people. After all, the coronavirus has not disappeared yet.

If you walk through the streets of Saint Petersburg you will not see anything resembling a pandemic. The people are so tired of self-isolation and prohibitions that they are now relaxing in full force. Despite the warning signs "Entrance only in personal protective equipment!", everyone is allowed in. Summer verandas, especially on weekends are full. The distance of 1.5 meters is only seen on the red markings in the trading halls, which are packed as well. At the same time, 256 new cases were registered in the city on July 16.

In terms of the number of new cases the Irkutsk region in Siberia tends to be the leader. Every day in the Angara region 200-300 new diagnoses are recorded. However, it seems that the locals are no longer concerned. Summer cafes and terraces are already in full operation in the region, fitness clubs and all zoos have recently opened. In short, life goes on.
In 82% of cases, the usual trips to supermarkets and public transport trips are the basic reason for new cases,during which safety rules are not observed, - explains the acting Deputy Chairman of the government of the Irkutsk region, Valentina Voblikova.

In Perm, one of biggest cities in the Urals region, despite the enormous heat, all the beaches remain closed to the public. However, local inhabitants are not confused and very eagerly relax there.
Meanwhile, the dynamics of coronavirus in the Perm region are rather troubling. Until July 8, 50-60 new cases were detected per day, which gave the authorities a reason to ease some of the restrictions - large stores, summer cafes, museums, libraries and exhibition halls were opened. But then there was a surge - the incidence increased to 87 people.

Moscow authorities are not going to introduce new restrictions because of the coronavirus, said mayor Sergei Sobyanin on the TV channel "Russia 24".

"Today the situation is quite calm and stable, and then we will wait for the vaccine to appear," he said.

Moscow authorities also confirmed a few days ago that despite some warnings from different scientific institutions on the likelihood of the COVID-19 second wave the coming fall, they do not plan introducing a new quarantine in September.

However, the mayor noted that the infection has not completely disappeared yet, and citizens should still take certain precautions. In addition, visitors to the capital from abroad will need to provide a certificate of passing the relative tests or pass it after arriving in the city.

Since the beginning of the last week parks, recreation and leisure places have resumed their work in the capital. In addition, the authorities have abolished the mandatory wearing of masks and gloves on the street. The next stage of easing is scheduled for August 1, when most cafes, bars and restaurants are expected to reopen. The same will be put into force in the Moscow region.

In general it is true that the situation with the COVID-19 in Russia differs from what we saw in a number of European countries a few months ago.

At the same time, while there is still no vaccine and while new outbreaks are periodically observed in different parts of the world, including Europe and the United States, it is important to observe precautionary measures and carefully analyze statistical data.

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