In the past week, Ukraine has reported 3,540 new cases of COVID-19, tripling the figures from the previous week. However, these numbers are significantly lower compared to last year, when weekly cases reached up to 15,000.
This was stated by Oleksiy Danylenko, Deputy Director of the Public Health Center, during a televised interview, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“In the last week, we registered 3,540 cases of COVID-19. Compared to the previous week, this marks a threefold increase, but when looking back at last year, we were recording over 10,000 (cases - ed.), even up to 15,000 weekly. This year, we currently have significantly lower infection rates for COVID-19,” Danylenko pointed out.
He noted that the main causes of infections among Ukrainians include: decreased immunity - both post-vaccination and after recovering from the illness, migration and active travel, non-compliance with personal protective measures, and the emergence of new virus variants.
“We are registering new strains of the virus in Ukraine - Stratus and already two cases of Nimbus,” Danylenko informed.
He highlighted that the new strains are characterized by increased transmissibility among the population, yet they do not lead to more severe disease progression.
“Complications may occur, especially in at-risk groups, but overall, the new strains do not result in a more severe course of the illness. In the vast majority of cases, the clinical presentation is limited to symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, resembling the classic COVID-19 symptoms. Some cases may show symptoms like hoarseness, sore throat, but overall, the clinical picture is similar,” Danylenko assured.
He added that the new strains tend to spread more readily among children and young people in the form of mild and asymptomatic cases, which is another reason for the easier and faster spread among the population.
Danylenko urged adherence to the following advice upon noticing symptoms of the illness.
“If you experience the first symptoms of illness, do not go to work. Stay at home, do not put those around you at risk, and of course, seek medical assistance instead of self-medicating. We also recommend using personal protective measures in crowded places, especially with individuals showing symptoms of illness. Naturally, these include basic hygiene measures - surface disinfection and vaccination,” Danylenko explained.
