30 Apr 2020 14:52

WHO believes Russia yet to reach Covid-19 plateau - MP after meeting with Vujnovic

MOSCOW. April 30 (Interfax) - The Covid-19 curve has been levelling off in Russia, but has not reached a plateau, first deputy head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma Adalbi Shkhagoshev said, citing the opinion of World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic.

"WHO representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic believes that the coronavirus curve has been levelling off in Russia, including in Moscow, but this isn't a plateau just yet," Shkhagoshev told Interfax on Thursday, following a videoconference between Vujnovic and State Duma deputies.

The parliamentarian noted that the WHO representative in Russia was "cautious and did not speak about [the plateau] with confidence."

"Vujnovic said that the sinusoid was levelling off, and given different daily rates, the absence of spikes, and a growth of 5% instead of 20-25%, the curve is levelling off, and we are entering a period of stabilization," Shkhagoshev said.

"A plateau won't be reached by May 1, that's for sure, so we should wait," he said.

The WHO representative in Russia supported the decision to extend self-isolation through May 11, Shkhagoshev said.

"Vujnovic described those measures as absolutely correct and relevant and called for a gradual withdrawal from self-isolation," he said.