In Russia began to get sick with a more contagious variant of the coronavirus

Head of the Laboratory of Genomic Research of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor Kamil Khafizov

reported that a new, more contagious variant of the “omicron” coronavirus strain VA.4 has been identified in Russia. Discuss

It is reported that the first samples with the new variantwere transferred to the laboratory at the end of May. Khafizov said that according to research, “the virus variants, known as BA.4 and BA.5, are slightly more transmissible than the earlier forms of ‘omicron’.”

He also noted that now in Russia it is stillThe predominant variant is BA.2, which is also called “stealth” - “omicron”, as well as its daughter variants. “In many ways, it is the good immune layer formed thanks to vaccination and previous cases of coronavirus infection, as well as the anti-epidemic measures taken, that do not allow new subvariants of Omicron to spread widely,” said Khafizov.

Meanwhile, Russia is gradually removingcoronavirus restrictions. In Moscow, from June 1, even a “covid amnesty” came into force, that is, previously imposed fines will no longer be collected from citizens and businesses.