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The incidence of Omicron variant of COVID-19 is growing in Armenia, Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan told a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“The number of new cases is growing progressively,” she said, adding only 5-6% of patients infected with Omicron are hospitalized in Armenia.

"Only the relatively low hospitalization rate of 5-6% is encouraging. It’s attributed to the high vaccination rates, as well as the characteristics of the new strain,” the minister said.

Currently, six hospitals in Armenia provide treatment for Covid patients, and, if necessary, their bed capacity can be increased, Avanesyan stressed.

Speaking about vaccinations, the minister said that 45.3% of the country's population have received the first dose of a vaccine, while 37% are fully vaccinated. At the same time, the vaccination rate among citizens over 65 remains low, she said, adding only 19% are vaccinated.