Coronavirus sickness rate rising in Russia; our task is to prevent it from growing further - Russian deputy PM

MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) - The coronavirus sickness rate is rising in Russia, as it is doing worldwide, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a meeting of the coronavirus response headquarters.

Work needs to be organized to prevent a further increase in the sickness rate; no increase in the number of hospitalizations has been recorded, she said.

"The coronavirus sickness rate is growing worldwide and in our country. Therefore, our main task now is to organize what we do in such a way as to prevent further growth. In the meantime, we are not recording a sharp increase in hospitalizations, but all healthcare systems should be maximally ready to assist coronavirus patients. The regions have all the necessary recommendations," Golikova was quoted as saying by her office.

Additionally, "despite the fact that Covid-19 causes mainly light forms of illness, and compares in its progression to the common cold, it can still cause varied complications," she said.

"We are asking our citizens to be as careful about their health and the health of the people around them as possible: seek medical assistance after the first indications of flu-like conditions, and also get vaccinated and revaccinated in a timely manner," she said.