OREANDA-NEWS  A variant of the FLiRT coronavirus has been identified in Russia, but it does not pose a great danger, omicron remains the dominant strain, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor told RIA Novosti.

"The ongoing monitoring makes it possible to identify even single new gene variants. During the entire monitoring period, 178 cases of new FLiRT variants were identified, including variants KP.2 (three cases), KP.1.1 (five cases), KS.1 (170 cases). All of them do not pose a greater danger than its other varieties," the ministry said.

At the same time, as in the whole world, the omicron variant remains predominant, the press service clarified.

After the holidays, Russia recorded a previously predicted increase in the incidence of COVID-19, due to the fact that people were communicating more often with each other these days, Rospotrebnadzor explained.

Experts urged not to neglect preventive measures — to wash hands more often, ventilate rooms, disinfect work surfaces and gadgets, and avoid contact with people with signs of the disease.

Earlier, the department noted that, according to the GISAID international database, there is an increase in the new KP line in different countries.2, referring to the FLiRT options. According to preliminary forecasts, KP.2 may become dominant worldwide.