EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR-GENETIC PECULIARITIES OF COVID-19 INFECTION DURING FIFTH WAVE OF PANDEMIC IN CONSTITUENT ENTITIES OF THE FAR EASTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic was registered in the Far Eastern Federal district (FEFD) of the Russian Federation during winter and spring periods of year 2022. Highest incidence (931.3 0/0000) was registered during sixth calendar week of the year (from 7th to 13th February). Territorial divergence of COVID-19 incidence with highest rate in the Republic Sakha (Yakutia) was detected. Unstable situation was registered in Sakhalin, Amur and Jewish Autonomous oblasts. Decline in weekly mortality rate (from 1.8 to 1.34%) due to new coronavirus infection was revealed in the FEFD. Inverse correlation between mortality and Omicron genovariant percentage was discovered. It was revealed that Omicron has replaced Delta variant by week 10 (from 7th to 13th March) of the 2022 calendar year. Should be noted that during the period of observation proportions of Omicron genetic lines changed: BA.1 was characterized by weekly growth and subsequent decline, as for BA.2 – weekly growth of circulation activity among population was revealed. Significant positive correlation between percentage of BA.1 and BA.2 lines and percentage of vaccinated people among people infected with COVID-19 was detected. Common features of incidence growth and decrease of mortality in different constituent entities of the FEFD during fifth wave of COVID-19 were caused by importation of COVID-19 cases and following spread of new Omicron genetic variant. The new genovariant is more contagious compared to Delta variant and can cause breakthrough infections after vaccination or previous infection more often. Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants.

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