Russia reports cases of more contagious COVID 19 Delta subvariant

2^min

Russia has reported "isolated cases" of COVID-19 with a subvariant of the Delta variant that is believed to be even more contagious, the state consumer watchdog's senior researcher said on Thursday.

The researcher, Kamil Khafizov, said the AY.4.2 subvariant may be around 10% more infectious than the original Delta - which has driven new cases and deaths to a series of record daily highs in Russia - and could ultimately replace it.

However, he said this was likely to be a slow process.

"The vaccines are effective enough against this version of the virus, which is not so different as to dramatically change the ability to bind to antibodies," he said.

The AY.4.2 subvariant is also on an increasing trajectory in England and had already accounted for about 6% of all sequences generated on the week beginning Sept. 27, a UK Health Security Agency report released on Oct. 15 said.

British Health Minister Sajid Javid on Wednesday said there was no reason to believe the subvariant posed a greater threat than Delta.

Russian immunologist Nikolay Kryuchkov said Delta and its subvariants would remain dominant and might in the future adapt in some ways to vaccines, especially where vaccination rates are below or just above 50%.

"But it seems to me that a revolutionary jump will not happen, because the coronavirus, like any organism, has an evolutionary limit, and the evolutionary jump has already happened," he said.

The Russian health ministry had no immediate comment.

Moscow's mayor on Thursday announced the strictest lockdown measures since June of last year, a day after President Vladimir Putin approved a government proposal for a week-long workplace shutdown at the start of November.

Russia reports cases of more contagious COVID-19 Delta subvariant

Breaking Headlines

Russia

Coronavirus

Delta

Joanna Kassem wins 2026 MG ZS in Toters Fresh draw on LBCI

Joanna Kassem wins 2026 MG ZS in Toters Fresh draw on LBCI

US envoy Tom Barrack marks anniversary of 1983 Marine compound attack in Beirut, says America “must not repeat past mistakes”

US envoy Tom Barrack marks anniversary of 1983 Marine compound attack in Beirut, says America “must not repeat past mistakes”

Hezbollah's Qassem: Enough with threats against Lebanon, BDL governor is not a US employee

Hezbollah's Qassem: Enough with threats against Lebanon, BDL governor is not a US employee

No civil war, no external interference: Lebanese Forces leader calls for Hezbollah disarmament

No civil war, no external interference: Lebanese Forces leader calls for Hezbollah disarmament

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lebanese lawmakers push presidential action to restore diaspora voting rights

Lebanese lawmakers push presidential action to restore diaspora voting rights

Joanna Kassem wins 2026 MG ZS in Toters Fresh draw on LBCI

Joanna Kassem wins 2026 MG ZS in Toters Fresh draw on LBCI

Israel gears for confrontation with Hezbollah, challenges US Gaza strategy

Israel gears for confrontation with Hezbollah, challenges US Gaza strategy

US envoy Tom Barrack marks anniversary of 1983 Marine compound attack in Beirut, says America “must not repeat past mistakes”

US envoy Tom Barrack marks anniversary of 1983 Marine compound attack in Beirut, says America “must not repeat past mistakes”

US missionary abducted in Niger capital: Diplomatic sources

US missionary abducted in Niger capital: Diplomatic sources

Where are Lebanon’s missing? Families search for answers as Israel holds at least 20 captives

Where are Lebanon’s missing? Families search for answers as Israel holds at least 20 captives

From shootout to arrest: Armed drug dealer in Lebanon caught after 'daring' escape

From shootout to arrest: Armed drug dealer in Lebanon caught after 'daring' escape

Syria govt forces say surrounding French jihadist camp in northwest

Syria govt forces say surrounding French jihadist camp in northwest