Over 450,000 Covid-19 patients in Russia under medical observation - health minister

YAROSLAVL. Aug 31 (Interfax) - More than 450,000 people in Russia who have been diagnosed with coronavirus are currently under medical observation, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said.

"More than 450,000 [Covid-19] patients are under medical observation today," Murashko told reporters during Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's visit to the Yaroslavl region.

Covid-19 vaccination intended to prevent severe complications of the disease, including lethal outcomes, is highly important, he said.

The Health Ministry has also acquired a flu vaccine, as flu morbidity is expected to be quite high around the world, Murashko said, adding that the flu vaccine is already available.

Furthermore, Murashko advised elderly people, especially people over 60 years of age, to receive a pneumococcal vaccine.

"It helps minimize the risks of developing bacterial pneumococcal pneumonia over a five-year period," he said.