COVID-19 epidemic may weaken amid flu season, official says

Head of the Ukrainian State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service's Main Department in the city of Kyiv Oleh Ruban says the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic may weaken amid the flu or SARS seasons.

"Today we are seeing a complete correlation of coronavirus with influenza and SARS," he told the Ukrainian Obozrevatel TV channel on October 9.

Read alsoDaily COVID-19 spike in Ukraine hits new high with almost 6,000 cases on Oct 9However, according to Ruban, COVID-19 differs from other acute respiratory infections in that "this viral infection is very severe and very aggressive."

"Unfortunately, we will see it for another two seasons, 2020 and 2021. There will be an increase in the ascertainment rate, a series of record numbers by March next year," he said.

According to the official, the epidemic may reach its peak in January-February 2021.

COVID-19: Latest developments

• The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that a coronavirus vaccine may be ready by the end of this year.
• The WHO says most cases of infection with COVID-19 occur due to 10-20% of sick persons. The spread of the disease takes place in "foci." Premises with large crowds (prisons and nightclubs) pose a potential threat.
• Epidemiologist Andriy Aleksandrin says Ukraine may face a surge in new COVID-19 cases soon, namely up to 12,000 new cases per day could be recorded in November.