COVID-19 variant more contagious than Delta found in Russia: Report

Russia has reported some cases of a new COVID-19 variant which's believed to be more contagious than the Delta variant, the RIA news agency said. Quoting an official, RIA said it's possible the AY.4.2 variant will spread widely, causing the rate of new COVID-19 cases to rise further. President Vladimir Putin has ordered a week-long workplace shutdown amid rising cases.