Vitaly Zverev, who serves as Scientific Director at the Vaccine and Serum Research Institute named after II Mechnikov, has cautioned that Russia could see a rise in COVID-19 cases in October, citing information from TASS. He explained that an uptick in infections tends to occur during the autumn months because the virus remains part of the human population and continues to circulate.
With regard to the EG.5 lineage of the Omicron strain, sometimes referred to in reports as Eris, Zverev urged calm rather than alarm. He pointed out that Eris does not diverge markedly from earlier Omicron variants, suggesting similar patterns in how it spreads and the level of impact it can have.
On August 11, the World Health Organization reported an 80 percent rise in global COVID-19 cases compared with the previous month. The Omicron subtype EG.5 was identified as the fastest-spreading variant in circulation at that time, highlighting the dynamic shifts in transmission around the world.
In Russia, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) announced on August 10 that initial infections with the EG.5 variant had been detected. Cases were reported in Moscow, the Moscow region, Saint Petersburg, and other areas including Magadan, Irkutsk, Krasnodar Territory, and the republics of Buryatia and Khakassia. A total of 17 EG.5 infections were recorded from April through August 2023, according to official releases.
Earlier notes from health authorities indicated that the topic of average life expectancy in Russia remained a matter of discussion, with updates provided during 2023.
Experts emphasize that vaccines and public health measures help reduce severe outcomes, but the presence of a diverse set of variants means ongoing monitoring and preparedness are essential for health systems in the region. The overall situation underscores the importance of rapid reporting, genomic surveillance, and clear communication to minimize the impact of any resurgence in COVID-19 activity. (attribution: TASS; WHO; Rospotrebnadzor)