At the neuropsychiatric care home in Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo region, nine residents died in January 2026. After reports of a mass outbreak, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over alleged violations of sanitary and epidemiological rules, while prosecutors and Rospotrebnadzor launched inspections.
According to regional authorities, dozens of illnesses were detected at the facility on January 23-24. Initial reports spoke of 46 ARVI cases, including 16 cases of influenza A and 28 positive COVID-19 tests. By January 30, 64 people had been hospitalized from the institution; three were in serious condition. Some patients were sent to an infectious diseases hospital in Novokuznetsk, while others remained in medical facilities in Prokopyevsk.
Kuzbass Labor and Social Protection Minister Natalya Chaika said that in November 2025 all residents without medical contraindications had been vaccinated against influenza. On January 24, quarantine was introduced at the institution, visits and new admissions were suspended, and disinfection was carried out in the buildings and kitchen unit.
Authorities said cardiovascular complications caused the deaths of seven residents, including decompensated chronic heart failure, arrhythmias and thrombosis. The causes of death of two others, a 73-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, are still being established.
Investigators say the conditions for the spread of infection arose because staff failed to properly perform their duties. Director Elena Morozova was temporarily suspended while a special commission conducts its review. At the same time, Telegram channels and local media published staff complaints about understaffing, spoiled food, cold rooms and attempts to conceal the outbreak. Those claims have not been officially confirmed and remain under review.
Governor Ilya Seredyuk called the situation at the institution severe and said decisions would be taken not only on this facility, but also on the operation of similar social care institutions more broadly.