Putin Says Russia Has Two Weeks To Prepare For Omicron Wave
Faizan Hashmi Published January 12, 2022 | 05:40 PM
President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday Russia had two weeks to prepare for a fresh wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Omicron variant after the WHO warned of a surge in Europe
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2022 ) :President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday Russia had two weeks to prepare for a fresh wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Omicron variant after the WHO warned of a surge in Europe.
Russia has lifted nearly all the restrictions designed to limit new cases, despite an increasing caseload and growing Omicron infections. It is currently the worst-hit country in Europe in terms of virus-related deaths.
"We see what is happening in the world," the Russian leader told a meeting of cabinet ministers Wednesday. "We have at least a couple of weeks to prepare." Regional and Federal authorities should take steps with businesses to limit the impact of the new variant, he added.
The country found itself in an "extremely difficult situation", said Putin.
He urged Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to increase domestic vaccination rates, including with Russia's Sputnik-V, which the Kremlin chief said was "perhaps more efficient" that other vaccines used globally.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization warned that more than half of people in Europe would likely catch Omicron by March.
Russia has only recently emerged from a deadly wave of the Delta variant of Covid-19.
Russia's statistics agency said in December that some 87,000 people had died from the coronavirus in November alone, bringing the country's total pandemic related deaths to more than 600,000 -- nearly twice the official figure given by a government Covid website.
There is widespread vaccine scepticism in Russia.
Even with several domestically produced jabs available for free for months now, fewer than half of Russia's population of 146 million have been inoculated, according to a government tally Wednesday.
Following a strict -- but brief -- national lockdown in the beginning of the pandemic, Russia has held back on introducing measures to restrain the virus in the hopes of protecting its struggling economy.
The pandemic is also driving a demographic crisis in Russia. In 2020, the population shrank by 510,000 people -- the sharpest decline in 15 years, Rosstat calculated.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt working to extend retirement age to 65 years: Finance Minister
Synergy Group wins big at the Effie Awards 2024
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian board makes important statement
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 7 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 07 May 2024
Sharjah Animation Conference explores cross-cultural collaboration opportunities ..
Sharjah Public Library provides countless opportunities for young imaginations t ..
Sharjah Police launches 'Your belongings, your responsibility' awareness campaig ..
Dubai Police displays Innovative Tourism Security Services at 'ATM 2024'
Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal not part of national squad for Ireland, England: Bab ..
Erdogan opens former church to Muslim worshippers
Cultural events hallmark of a nation, Director RAC
More Stories From World
-
Timberwolves maul Nuggets, Brunson fires Knicks over Pacers
4 minutes ago -
GCC keen on exploring further opportunities for cooperation with CARICOM, Albudaiwi says
14 minutes ago -
KSrelief disributes food aid in Abasan Al Kabira, Nuseirat Governorate, Gaza
14 minutes ago -
Turkish scientist's high-tech microplastics detection gets international recognition
24 minutes ago -
Flat-out: Hirscher boosts skiing in mountainless Netherlands
34 minutes ago -
US soldier detained in custody in Russia for theft
44 minutes ago
-
China hospital attack leaves two dead, 21 wounded
44 minutes ago -
Russia to hold US soldier in custody till July for theft
54 minutes ago -
Nintendo says announcement on Switch successor 'this fiscal year'
1 hour ago -
Rescuers search for survivors after deadly S.African building collapse
1 hour ago -
Five dead, dozens trapped in South Africa building collapse
2 hours ago -
Saudi showcases spectacular summer escape at ATM 2024
2 hours ago