Deputy Minister warns of new waves of coronavirus in autumn

YEREVAN, August 22. /ARKA/. Armenia’s first deputy minister of health Lena Nanushyan has warned today that a new wave of Covid-19 is possible in the autumn if precautions are not taken. 

"Compared to what we had several months ago, the current numbers of the infected people are low, but at the same time we see that they are growing. In September and October, we are expecting a new wave of the disease," she said in an interview with 24News.

Asked what are the reasons behind this anticipation Nanushyan cited several factors contributing to the spread of the virus.

"One thing we have already figured out is that the temperature is not contributing to or preventing its spread," she said.

The deputy minister explained that some features of the virus, as well as increased travels by citizens and increased socialization are contributing to its spread.

"We are predicting an increase in cases in September when the new schooling year begins. Also, people returning from foreign travels can spread the infection in the workplace," she said.

Nanushyan noted also that vaccinations certainly prevent severe course of the disease and deaths, but because of the constant mutations of the virus, "there has come a point when they don't prevent the disease."

"If you're vaccinated, you can't be 100 percent sure you won't get sick. We have cases of re-infection when a person, whether vaccinated or not, can get sick several times. We have cases when people got sick 3 or 4 times even after being vaccinated. But these cases are not numerous," she said.

At the same time, the deputy minister stressed that among those vaccinated there were no severe or extremely severe cases.

"That's why we encourage citizens to get vaccinated, especially now, when we expect a new wave of the infection," she added. -0-