Russia records new highest virus-related death toll

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian authorities reported on Wednesday 108 more coronavirus-related deaths, the highest daily figure since the beginning of the outbreak in the country.

The death toll totaled 972, the emergency team said in a statement, while 5,841 people tested positive for COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, taking the country's tally to 99,399.

In addition, 199,000 people stay under medical surveillance with suspected infection.

Recoveries reached 10,286 after 1,830 people were discharged from hospitals.

The number of tests carried out in Russia mounts to approximately 3.3 million, an average of 150,000 per day, allowing to reveal contagion at an early stage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced an extension of the country’s quarantine until May 11, aiming to nail down its progress in fighting the pandemic.

Putin said thanks to forward-thinking measures, Russia managed to get properly prepared for the virus’ spread, reorganize the health care system, and stock medicines and equipment, all of which resulted in fewer cases and deaths.

The extended measures include continuing a suspension of work activities and keeping major cities, including the capital Moscow and the second-largest-city Saint Petersburg, on lockdown.

Also, Putin instructed the government to prepare by May 5 recommendations on gradually exiting the quarantine and a national plan for revitalizing the economy and business activities while taking necessary precautions against a resurgence of the virus.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 185 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed more than 217,350 worldwide, with total infections over 3.11 million, while nearly 935,000 patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.