Azerbaijani expert discloses measures to prevent COVID-19 alarming level Azerbaijani Health Ministry’s commentary

Specialist and expert of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Health, therapist Zakir Guliyev has answered questions about the measures required for COVID-19 cases not to reach an alarming level.

- Mr. Guliyev, what is the current situation with COVID-19 in the world?

- The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in late 2019, is still underway. The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a statement in connection with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic is underway and new virus mutations are emerging. COVID-19 cases have sharply increased in such countries as the US, France, the UK, and Germany.

- How do you assess the situation with COVID-19 in Azerbaijan?

- I would like to stress that we are currently witnessing an increase in COVID-19 cases compared to previous months. We should continue maintaining personal hygiene rules and social distancing for infection not to reach alarming levels.

- A new subspecies of the Omicron strain have been revealed in some European countries.

- Unfortunately, it is true. European virologists are concerned about the emergence of a new variant (BA.2.75) of COVID-19 omicron variant, which was first revealed in several regions of India in late June 2022 and has spread in other countries, including the UK, US, Australia, Germany, and Canada. BA.2.75 is being closely monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

If we consider the history of virology, we can see that some mutations can lead to changes in the characteristic features of a virus, such as a virus transmission (for example, it can spread faster) or the severity of the disease (for example, it can cause more severe disease).

We saw the same situation during the early stages of COVID-19. Proceeding from observations, despite the decrease in mortality cases as a result of COVID-19, the infection rate is growing.

Many people infected with the omicron variant have such symptoms as runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat.

As for the symptoms associated with early mutations of COVID-19, such as loss of smell and taste, cough, and fever, they are still considered the main signs of infection. If we compare the "delta" and "omicron" strains, we will see that the "delta" strain has a higher lethality among the sick.

- How can we protect ourselves from COVID-19?

- I advise citizens to continue following the rules of personal hygiene (wash hands with soap and water, use antiseptics) and avoid crowded places unless there is an urgent necessity to avoid a new wave of COVID-19. Moreover, I advise our citizens to use protective masks indoors and in crowded public transport.