The Omicron strain of coronavirus is especially dangerous for the elderly, because it can lead to complications from comorbidities the patient has. This is the reason why almost every second infected person of the 60+ age category is hospitalized.

According to Tatyana Savinova, Orenburg Health Minister, against the background of general decrease of respiratory infections rate in the region (in Orenburg it decreased by 30%, in Orsk - by almost half) the statistics on pneumonia gets more attention. Last week there were 1300 cases of pneumonia, so the number of covid hospital patients in the region is not yet declining. As of today, there are 1,610 beds in the region.

"Once again, I appeal to seniors: it's very important to avoid getting infected. For them, "omicron" runs quite hard. And even not so much due to pneumonias, but due to the ability of this strain to cause aggravation of the main diseases that people suffer from. We see an increase in strokes, heart attacks, complications of cancer pathologies, endocrine diseases, etc. 50% of elderly patients are hospitalized with a significant worsening of the underlying disease," said Savinova.

The specialist urged the older generation to follow anti-epidemic recommendations, use protective equipment and avoid unnecessary social contacts.