COVID-19 infects more people in Russia, cases at 1,836

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The number of people diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Russia surged to 1,836 with 302 new cases, the authorities said on Monday.

The deadly infection claimed a life in the Pskov region, rising the total fatalities to nine acros the country, the emergency team said in a statement.

The cases have been reported across 71 regions nationwide, it noted.

Since the outbreak of the virus in the country, 66 people have recovered from the disease, the team added.

Several regions, including the capital Moscow, were put on lockdown on March 30. People are only allowed to leave their homes for buying groceries, medicines, walking pets within 100 meters (328 feet) from home and disposing garbage.

Meanwhile, the government stiffened the penalties for violating the quarantine, setting fines up to 1 million rubles ($12,500), depending on possible consequences to which quarantine breaking led: infection or death caused by the infection.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, in December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 177 countries and regions, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows more than 732,000 cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll nearing 34,700, and over 154,600 recoveries.