Increasing incidence of COVID-19 and the spread of the “delta” strain

The beginning of 2021 in Russia passed against the backdrop of a gradual rise in the incidence of coronavirus. If in January-March the indicators remained relatively stable, then already in April and especially in May the situation began to worsen. The main reason for the new surge was the rapidly spreading “delta” strain, first discovered in India. It turned out to be more contagious than previous variants, was transmitted more quickly by airborne droplets and was more severe in unvaccinated people. Rising hospitalizations have meant hospitals in major cities are beginning to fill up again. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, additional Covid corps were deployed, restrictions were introduced on public events, and control over compliance with the mask regime was strengthened. By June, authorities in a number of regions announced mandatory vaccinations for workers in the service sectors, education, transport and trade. At the same time, social disputes grew: part of the population denied the need for vaccination, while others demanded stricter measures to protect employees and visitors. Over the summer, Russia faced a record number of deaths throughout the pandemic, making COVID-19 a central issue in public life and political governance. The pandemic has become more than just a medical phenomenon. It had an impact on the economy, the labor market, people’s income levels, and even on the political agenda - many government decisions in 2021 were based specifically on the epidemiological situation.