Epidemiologist Ruzhentsova: The symptomatology of the omicron coronavirus strain develops much faster than the delta

Symptoms of coronavirus infection COVID-19 when infected with the omicron strain can develop much faster than with delta and other known variants. This was announced to RIA Novosti by the deputy director for clinical work of the Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after G.N. Gabrichevsky Rospotrebnadzor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Tatyana Ruzhentsova.

According to her, “there is evidence that symptoms develop much faster.”

At the same time, the expert pointed out that with the “omicron”, in contrast to the “delta”, the sick “almost do not complain about the loss of smell and taste disturbances.”

We will remind, earlier Ruzhentsova noted that one of the symptoms of the mysterious strain of COVID-19 “omicron” is severe weakness, and other main symptoms of this strain are fever up to 38 C and above, headaches, decreased appetite, cough.

Moreover, the physician-therapist of the Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after G.N. Gabrichevsky Rospotrebnadzor Daria Khavkina, children may have a rash.

Recall that the new strain of coronavirus B.1.1.529, which contains 32 mutations in the S-protein, was first identified in South Africa and Botswana in early November. The infected were found in Hong Kong, Belgium, Israel. In recent days, a number of countries have suspended flights with countries in southern Africa. Among them are the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Argentina, Czech Republic. At an emergency meeting on November 26, the World Health Organization recognized B.1.1.529 as “of concern” and named it “omicron” after the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet. Omicron has a large number of mutations, it also spreads faster than the delta type. This can become a serious problem, doctors are sure. A new strain of coronavirus with increased mobility has been found in more than 55 countries, including Russia.