COVID-19: Russia marks week of 10,000+ daily cases

MOSCOW Russia completed a week of more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases per day on Saturday but also reported its highest single-day tally of recoveries so far. A total of 10,817 people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, while 5,308 patients were discharged from hospitals over the same period, the emergency task force said in its daily report. The death toll rose to 1,827 as 104 more fatalities were recorded since yesterday, it added. The overall number of infections reached 198,676, while 242,000 suspected coronavirus patients remain under medical surveillance. The total number of recoveries in the country is now 31,916, the team said. To date, 5.2 million tests have been carried out in Russia. Four top officials, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in two weeks. Despite rather tough measures, which include a lockdown in the capital Moscow, ban on entry of foreigners, and suspension of international air and railway traffic, Russia is now the fifth worst-hit country in the coronavirus pandemic. After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions. The pandemic has killed more than 275,000 worldwide, with total infections over 3.95 million, and recoveries surpassing 1.33 million, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.