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Expert does not rule out increase in COVID-19 infection rate in Russia by late winter

According to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center, Russia has documented 3,677,352 cases of COVID-19, 3,081,536 patients have recovered and 68,412 have died

MOSCOW, January 22. /TASS/. A slight increase in COVID-19 infection rate is possible in Russia by late winter or early spring, as COVID-19 starts to become more akin to a seasonal disease, Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work at the Central Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology Natalya Pshenichnaya told TASS on Friday.

"As it seems that the coronavirus acquires some features of a seasonal infection, a slight increase in infection rate by late winter or early spring cannot be ruled out, as it usually happens with all seasonal acute respiratory viral infections," she said.

Pshenichnaya explained that this can be caused by weather factors, such as temperature fluctuations, as well as the social activity of the population. She added that adherence to prevention measures and COVID-19 vaccination can help avoid curb the spread of infection.

Since the start of the pandemic, about 97.5 mln people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 globally, over 2 mln have died. According to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center, Russia has documented 3,677,352 cases of COVID-19, 3,081,536 patients have recovered and 68,412 have died.