In this article, we analyzed the problems associated with increasing antibiotic resistance, irrational use of antibiotics, and inadequate demand for them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective. Using the method of digital epidemiology, we analyzed the dynamics of the frequency of a specific request for antibiotics in pharmacies and hospitals. We used open data from Yandex (Wordstat.Yandex) and Google (Google Trends) collected on weekly basis for the Russian Federation. Results. The World Health Organization reports a growing problem of antibiotic misuse by some individuals and healthcare institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive irrational use of antibiotics causes the development of antibiotic resistance by many microorganisms, including those circulating in hospitals (for example, ESKAPE group). Moreover, COVID-19 has led to an exponential increase in the use of biocides worldwide, potentially resulting in additional indirect pressure promoting the selection of antibiotic-resistant strains. The pandemic in Russia was marked by a significant increase in antibiotic sales in pharmacies (including systemic antibacterial agents) and purchases by healthcare institutions. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate that the rapid spread of COVID-19 was associated with extensive consumption of antibiotics, which resulted in growing antibacterial resistance (number of circulating drug-resistant strains) and posed a threat to the national security. The COVID-19 necessitates the discovery of new effective treatments for this infection, as well as rational use of antimicrobial drugs. The implementation of surveillance of antibiotic consumption will help to identify changing trends in their use, combine efforts to solve problems related to antibiotics and drug resistance, and to ensure rational use of antimicrobials. Key words: antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, pandemic, COVID-19, digital epidemiology

Introduction. Currently, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among healthcare workers continues to increase both in Russia and in other countries. Due to their professional activities' specifics, medical workers - frequent contact with sick people are most at risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. The study aims to research the risk factors for infection of medical workers with SARS-CoV-2 to prevent infection and the spread of COVID-19 in medical institutions, considering the use of personal protective equipment. Materials and methods. Specialists of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor conducted an anonymous questionnaire with the subsequent analysis of the results obtained to study and assess risk factors for infection of SARS-CoV-2 medical workers, their attitude to the use of personal protective equipment, non-specific prophylaxis. Results. The authors present a literature review on the problem of infection and morbidity of COVID-19 medical workers, who are known to be at high risk of infection due to frequent contact with the sick. We analyzed data that exposure to higher concentrations of the virus, especially from critically ill patients, can affect the disease's severity in health care workers. The authors conducted an anonymous survey to study the risk factors for infection of health care workers with SARS-CoV-2 and their attitude to the use of personal protective equipment. Based on the obtained data, identified the main ways of infection of medical staff, options of the disease, and their severity, and revealed that providers responsible for selecting and using PPE. Conclusion. Assessing potential risk factors for the spread of coronavirus infection among healthcare workers is essential to prevent healthcare workers' infection and the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings.

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At present, a major challenge in research that addresses risks of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is the lack of methodological and theoretical studies generalizing the available knowledge in the sphere whereas applied works are plentiful. In recent years, methods of influence on the epidemic process of HAIs have been reassessed and some experts believe transition to the risk-based approach to be quite promising in this respect. This approach makes it possible to take timely measures aimed at reducing risks of such infections in advance. Since the risk-based approach within epidemiological safety is only starting to be integrated into the whole system of healthcare safety, development and specification of its individual components seems to be a promising trend in healthcare support. The key role in creating an effective system for control and surveillance over hospital-acquired infections belongs to activities related to development of scientific approaches to systematizing and unifying indicators that describe the subject area of HAIs risks in healthcare organizations of various profiles; improvement of the methodology for analyzing HAIs risks, the risk-based approach and risk management technologies within surveillance over such infections; optimization of science-based approaches to decision-making that relies on the risk-based approach and HAIs risk management technologies; development of methodical guidelines on monitoring, assessment, and prediction of HAIs risks in healthcare organizations of various profiles.

At present, a major challenge in research that addresses risks of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is the lack of methodological and theoretical studies generalizing the available knowledge in the sphere whereas applied works are plentiful. In recent years, methods of influence on the epidemic process of HAIs have been reassessed and some experts believe transition to the risk-based approach to be quite promising in this respect. This approach makes it possible to take timely measures aimed at reducing risks of such infections in advance. Since the risk-based approach within epidemiological safety is only starting to be integrated into the whole system of healthcare safety, development and specification of its individual components seems to be a promising trend in healthcare support. The key role in creating an effective system for control and surveillance over hospital-acquired infections belongs to activities related to development of scientific approaches to systematizing and unifying indicators that describe the subject area of HAIs risks in healthcare organizations of various profiles; improvement of the methodology for analyzing HAIs risks, the risk-based approach and risk management technologies within surveillance over such infections; optimization of science-based approaches to decision-making that relies on the risk-based approach and HAIs risk management technologies; development of methodical guidelines on monitoring, assessment, and prediction of HAIs risks in healthcare organizations of various profiles.