Eastern Europe/Russia: COVID-19 transmission continues throughout eastern Europe and Russia during December 2020 /update 6

COVID-19 transmission reported in several countries in Eastern Europe and Russia in November 2020. Maintain basic health precautions.

Event

Several countries in Eastern Europe and Russia continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a "Warning Level-3" travel health notice, the highest of three levels, which indicates authorities recommend avoiding nonessential travel due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. According to data through Nov. 29 from the WHO, the following countries in Eastern Europe and Russia have identified confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Clusters of cases:

Russia: 2,269,316 cases*
Azerbaijan: 114,025 cases*

Community transmission:

Ukraine: 722,679 cases*
Armenia: 134,768 cases
Belarus: 133,324 cases*
Georgia: 132,368 cases
Moldova: 105,852 cases*

*As of Nov. 29, these countries are reporting increases in the number of active cases.

Additional cases may be added to this list at any time, as disease surveillance and testing continues.

Context

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.