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Coronavirus pandemic

Earlier symptoms serve as advantage of new coronavirus strain, says scientist

According to the expert, it remains to be determined which coronavirus strain is worse - the one when an individual can be a hidden carrier for a long time and infect others or the one when the symptoms are manifested earlier

MOSCOW, December 21. /TASS/. Leading researcher of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Fyodor Lisitsyn has urged residents not to panic due to the spread of a new strain of the coronavirus. According to him, the fact that upon an infection with the new strain the coronavirus symptoms are manifested earlier may positively influence the spread of the infection.

"One shouldn’t panic too much because of this new strain <...>. When its properties are researched - we don’t even know for sure even, so far this is hot information, it might be confirmed or not. On the other hand, this is a rapid coronavirus and its shortcoming has its advantages - the fact that with [its] more rapid spread the symptoms are displayed sooner. An individual, instead of being a hidden carrier of the coronavirus and continuing to walk around infecting other people, gets sick quicker or <...> [is detected] by a test and is isolated sooner," he said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel on Monday.

According to the expert, it remains to be determined which coronavirus strain is worse - the one when an individual can be a hidden carrier for a long time and infect others or the one when the symptoms are manifested earlier. The scientist also reacted to the decision of some countries, including Russia, to temporarily suspend the air service with the UK. According to him, "it is better to do so than not."

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On December 14, Britain’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. According to him, a preliminary analysis indicated that this newly detected virus strain was spreading faster than any of the known strains. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at an emergency news conference on Saturday announced that, according to the current findings, the new strain might be 70% more contagious, adding that British experts had not yet found any proof that the mutated virus was fraught with a greater risk of lethal outcome.

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

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Turkey will not join sanctions against Russia — Erdogan

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Russian troops destroy four boats with Ukrainian assault force on Dnieper River

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Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

BAM personifies giant labor and courage of two million very young people from across the entire Soviet Union, the Russian leader said

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

Moldovan authorities seize large sums of money from opposition activists

Searches conducted in various parts of the country today yielded sums in rubles, leus, and dollars, as well as mobile phones

Speakers of EU parliaments back idea of creating rapid response forces

The speakers praised the EU initiative to have its own military capability to "defend the security of its people, their interests and democratic values"

Press review: GOP tussles over Ukraine bill and Putin, Aliyev talk partnership

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 23rd

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

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