Kazakh Health Ministry: coronavirus cases rise by 41% over last two weeks

The epidemiological situation with coronavirus infection in Kazakhstan has deteriorated sharply. Health Minister Azhar Giniyat announced this at a government meeting. The rapid spread of infection was influenced by the increase in cases of the new Omicron strain in the country, the minister explained.

“As a result of research in early January, the Omicron variant was identified and confirmed in the cities of Almaty and Nur-Sultan. The Omicron variant is recognized as highly contagious, and there is an increased risk of reinfection. In the upper respiratory tract, Omicron replicates 70 times higher than the Delta variant and other variants of coronavirus,” said Azhar Giniyat, Kazakh Health Minister.

Also, the Minister gave a forecast for the development of the epidemiological situation in the country.  According to the optimistic scenario, up to 17,500 cases will be registered per day.  However, this becomes possible due to full revaccination of the population and preventive measures.  There is also a pessimistic forecast - at least 40,000 Kazakhstan residents will contract a dangerous infection every day.

Translation by Saule Mukhamejanova