On October 22, Rospotrebnadzor confirmed that isolated cases of a new variant of the coronavirus AY.4.2 were detected among samples from the Moscow region.
As told “Kommersant“Kamil Khafizov, head of the scientific group for the development of new methods for diagnosing human diseases at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, isolated virus isolates from the Moscow region” have all the significant genetic differences inherent in the new AY.4.2 branch, including the two above mutations. “
The experts noted that AY.4.2 contains two mutations in the spike protein, which increases its permeability into cells and provides increased infectivity.
Earlier, on October 21, Kamil Khafizov, head of the scientific group for the development of new methods for diagnosing human diseases at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, said that cases of variant AY.4.2 had been detected in Russia. He also noted that this virus is more associated with infectiousness, and not with the severity of the disease.
In turn, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, President of the International Association of Specialists in the Field of Infections Irina Shestakova said in an interview with Izvestia that 98% of circulating virus strains in Russia are the Delta strain. At the same time, she stressed that it is too early to say that the rise in the incidence of COVID-19 is associated with the emergence of a new strain.
On October 20, UK Health Minister Sajid Javid announced that a new variant of the Delta strain COVID-19 AY.4.2 is being distributed in the UK. He also stressed that the virus continues to mutate.
A large-scale vaccination campaign continues in Russia. Citizens are vaccinated for free. Five vaccines against coronavirus have been registered in the country: Sputnik V, which became the first vaccine against COVID-19 in the Russian Federation and the world, as well as Sputnik Light, EpiVacCorona, EpiVacCorona-N and KoviVak.
All relevant information on the situation with the coronavirus is available on the websites stopcoronavirus.rf and access to all.rf, as well as by the hashtag #WeVeTogether. Coronavirus hotline: 8 (800) 2000-112.
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