More infectious subspecies of omicron BA.2 has been identified in Bashkiria

In the Russian Federation, cases of infection with a subspecies of the omicron strain of coronavirus BA.2 have been detected, Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, said at the coordinating council to combat COVID-19.

"The BA.3 line has not been detected on the territory of Russia, and the vast majority, which belongs to the BA.2 line, was detected in Moscow, the Republic of Mari El, the Rostov Region, and the Republic of Bashkortostan," she said.

According to Anna Popova, data from several countries indicate even higher infectivity of these subspecies.

Vaccination remains the most reliable way of protection. According to the Russian Minister of Health, Mikhail Murashko, the proportion of those vaccinated among those with COVID-19 does not exceed four percent; there are only a few severe cases, while the vast majority of patients in hospitals are unvaccinated.