The delta variant of the coronavirus has aggravated the pandemic in Russia, which is registering record numbers of daily infected and fatalities. To curb the impact of the most serious cases, the authorities do not want oxygen deprivation in hospitals. That is why they have asked for help from the metallurgical industry, which uses it especially for the production of steel.
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Commerce called on companies in the sector to reduce their consumption of industrial oxygen, which should help the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals.
Death record
Russia registers 679 new deaths, the highest daily figure of the entire pandemic
With the increase in the number of patients with coronavirus and their need for oxygen, the Vice Minister of Industry, Vasili Osmakov, requested according to the RBK agency that production be temporarily reassigned to increase the oxygen capacity of the Russian health system.
The epidemiological situation in Russia improved last spring, and since March most of the restrictions began to be lifted. So although vaccination was slow, it was hoped that it would defeat the virus.
But the delta variant has crossed this path of improvement, and since June the number of cases began to increase significantly. This Friday, July 2, the daily infected throughout the country were 23,218, when in May they remained between 7,000 and 9,000. The dead totaled 679, the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic.
In finland
Helsinki attributes the increase in cases to fans who attended the European Championship in nearby St. Petersburg
The cities most affected in this third wave are Moscow (6,893 infected, 112 deaths in the last 24 hours) and Saint Petersburg (1,671 and 101), where on this day the Spanish team faces the Swiss team in the football European Cup.
The delta variant has gone from Russia (146 million inhabitants) to Finland (5.5 million) precisely because of this sporting competition. According to the Finnish Health Institute, 40% of the new cases in the Scandinavian country between June 21 and 27 are related to fans who, taking advantage of the proximity of Saint Petersburg, have visited the city to attend the six games played there in June. Spain-Switzerland is the seventh and last.
Finland had stopped the spread of the pandemic. On May 29 he had no cases and in the first weeks of June he managed to keep the numbers below one hundred. But the numbers soared late last month. On July 1 there were 355 new infections.
Against the virus
Vaccination is slow in Russia, with only 11.8% of the population, and the Government recommends revaccination
With the worsening of the pandemic, the Russian authorities have increased measures to tackle the covid. Moscow and other regions have imposed mandatory vaccination for 60% of employees of service sector companies. In addition, to enter restaurants and bars from this week you must have a QR pass that proves you have been vaccinated, passed the disease or have tested negative in a recent PCR test.
They are also recommending that those who were vaccinated six months ago do so again. Vaccination is slow in Russia. More than 60% have shown, according to polls, against going through the needle. The government expected to have 60% of the population vaccinated in September. But as of June 30, only 11.8% had received the complete guideline. At this rate, getting 30% would already be a success.
With the delta variant, morbidity due to covid is much faster and patients requiring oxygen therapy are higher than before. That is why the Government tries not to lack oxygen supply. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin entrusted this matter to the Ministry of Industry last week.
Industrial oxygen is used in various sectors. For example, in metallurgy, for metal processing, to separate gold from other minerals, or to melt non-ferrous metals. In the chemical industry, in the production of various types of acids and other substances. Or in mining, to drill rocks.
The difference from medical oxygen lies in the method of production, packaging and safety measures, as well as its purity. To use it in medicine, it must first be reconverted.
According to RBK sources, in the meeting with the ministry, some of the companies agreed to reduce their consumption and their emergency supplies, which they will redirect to regional health systems.
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