Number of coronavirus cases in Russia climbs to 2,337

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia has confirmed 500 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 2,377, with the death toll reaching 17, the country's authorities announced on Tuesday.

Moscow continues to be the epicentre of COVID-19 in the country, as 387 of 500 new cases, and five of eight fatalities were recorded in the Russian capital, the emergency team said in a statement.

"In the Russian Federation, 2,337 cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in 73 regions. During the day, 55 people were discharged after recovery. During the entire period, 121 people have been discharged. Eight fatalities were recorded during the day, and 17 fatalities in total so far," the statement said.

Russia is nearing the peak of the coronavirus cases, so the numbers will likely rise, according to epidemiologists.

To stem the spread of the infection, the Russian government put on lockdown several regions, including the second-largest city St. Petersburg, and the capital Moscow, more regions are joining to the tough quarantine every day, allowing the residents to leave homes only for buying groceries, walking pets and dropping litter.

Also, Russia has banned the entry of foreign nationals and suspended international air traffic.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, in December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has spread to at least 178 countries and regions, indicates the Johns Hopkins University database.

The data shows the confirmed number of cases worldwide has surpassed 800,000, with the death toll over 38,700, and more than 170,300 recoveries.