OREANDA-NEWS  In the Russian Federation, there has been an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza after the New Year holidays, it increased 1.5 times, which is associated with the return of citizens to labor and educational collectives, Rospotrebnadzor reported.

"In the Russian Federation, after the New Year holidays and school holidays, the expected increase in the incidence of acute viral respiratory infections is 1.5 times, which is associated with the return of citizens to labor and educational collectives," the ministry told reporters.

Rospotrebnadzor clarified that in the third week of the year, about 15.2 thousand cases of influenza were registered, which is "almost at the level of the previous week." A(H3N2) dominates among the strains.

"In the first working week of 2026, there was also a slight increase in the incidence of COVID-19 - more than 5.4 thousand cases were registered," the ministry added.