In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous district, one of the oil provinces of Russia, the number of infections with a new coronavirus infection is growing continuously. The regional authorities used their right to extend the mandatory self-isolation regime for an extra 1,5-month compared to the all-Russian one. The curve of new infections began to reach a plateau. At the peak of the epidemic, the number of new infections was 19 per 100,000 population. A month after the restrictions were extended, it dropped to 16.
The regional government is further strengthening anti-epidemic measures and starting free drug prevention in families with one or more infected members.
Recombinant interferon alfa-2b will be used as the only preventive drug recommended by the Russian Ministry of Health for COVID-19. The nasal form of the drug will avoid side effects since it is used only locally.
International experience also indicates the effectiveness of this form of interferon to protect the medical staff in fighting with a new coronavirus infection.
Recombinant interferon is safe for blood-borne infections and diseases, as it is obtained by genetic engineering. It can be used by all groups of the population, including newborns, pregnant women, and pensioners.
The regional authorities have purchased 25,000 packages of the drug to provide long-term care for all families where there are infected people.
Sources
https://tass.ru/ural-news/8894835/amp
https://www.admmegion.ru/news/352994/?sphrase_id=3087216
