Russia hits new record daily COVID cases, deaths amid upward trend

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - For another day of new coronavirus-related records, Russia on Thursday reported the highest single-day infections and fatalities.

According to a report by the country's coronavirus emergency task force, the COVID-19 cases went up by 36,339 over the last 24 hours, taking the overall count to 8.13 million.

Russia's death toll climbed to 227,389 after 1,036 more people died of the virus over the same period.

Recoveries, meanwhile, increased by 25,895 since Wednesday to stand around 7.09 million in total.

In a separate statement, an official from the Russian federal agency inspecting consumer rights protection and human wellbeing announced several cases of AY.4.2, a new Delta subvariant of coronavirus, were detected in Russia.

The emergence of the new strain can lead to further growth of morbidity in Russia, Kamil Hafizov told reporters in Moscow, touting vaccination as the only way to counter the mutated virus.

To contain the virus' spread, the Russian government decided to announce another non-working week from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7. President Vladimir Putin signed the related decree on Wednesday.

Only backbone enterprises, retail, and companies involved in the production and supply of anti-coronavirus products will continue operating on non-working days.

The school children will have a week of holiday during this period as well.

- Moscow announces 10-day non-working period

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced on Thursday the non-working period in the capital will last from Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.

"The situation in Moscow continues to develop the worst-case scenario. In the coming days, we will reach historical peaks regarding COVID-19," Sobyanin said in a statement on the official website of his office.

During this period, the work of trade, services, catering, sports, culture, recreation, entertainment enterprises, and cinemas in Moscow will be suspended, with the exception of the sales of medicines, food, and other essential goods.

Restaurants and cafes can serve for takeaway and delivery, corporate catering, and restaurants in hotels can operate on condition of denying access to outsiders.

The schools and kindergarten will go on holiday, mass events will be prohibited apart from those held by the decision of state authorities.

Medical organizations will provide routine service, museums and theaters will remain open with QR codes and protective masks required, allowing only half visitors of full capacity.

After the end of the non-working period, museums and theaters will be allowed to accept visitors for 70% of their full capacity and wearing face masks will be mandatory during concerts, entertainment, cultural, entertainment, sports and other events participated by 500 and more people.