ugc_banner

Russia reports record high coronavirus cases; infections rise in Moscow

WION Web Team
MoscowUpdated: May 07, 2020, 07:52 PM IST
main img
Photograph:(AFP)

Story highlights

Moscow has emerged as is the epicenter of the virus with over 85,000 cases and over 860 deaths

Russia on Thursday reported over 11,000 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours as the country imposed new restrictions in its capital city Moscow which has been worst affected due to the epidemic.

The total number of coronavirus cases shot up to 177,160 with 11, 231 new infections as Russia struggles to contain the virus.

Moscow has emerged as is the epicenter of the virus with over 85,000 cases and over 860 deaths even as Mayor Sergei Sobyanin asserted that stay-at-home order won't be taken off anytime soon but added that industry and constuction workers would be gradually allowed to start work.

Russian health officials said they have ramped up testing with 4.8 million tests. However, the coronavirus death rate in the country is far better than other European countries with just 1,625 fatalities.

Meanwhile, culture minister Olga Lyubimova became the latest top official to test positive, after Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was detected with the virus.

Amid the crisis, Russian President Putin asked governors to come up with a plan to gradually lift the lockdown but cautioned against a new wave of infections if things go out of control. The country has imposed the lockdown period till May 11.

"We should be moving forward gradually," the Russian president said, adding," "We should not run ahead of ourselves, The price of even the smallest mistake is the safety, lives and health of our people."