MOSCOW, May 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Russia reported another surge in
coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to more than 230,000
cases as authorities began to gradually ease restrictions.
A government tally on Tuesday showed 10,899 infections over the last 24
hours, bringing the total to 232,243.
Russia is now among the top four countries with the most coronavirus cases
and is on track to have the second-highest number of infections after the
United States. Despite reporting more than 10,000 new cases a day for over a
week, President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced that a “non-working” period
in place for six weeks would be lifted from Tuesday.
A lockdown in Moscow, the epicentre of the crisis in Russia, remains in
place until the end of May, but even in the capital some restrictions were
being lifted.
Some 500,000 employees of companies involved in industry and construction
were allowed to resume work, though authorities made it mandatory to wear
masks and gloves in shops and on public transport.
Russia’s reported mortality rate is much lower compared to other European
countries hit hard by the pandemic, with 107 new deaths and 2,116 dead from
the coronavirus as of Tuesday.
Authorities say this is because Russia moved quickly to close its borders
and isolate those at risk, convert hospitals to treating virus patients and
launch a vast campaign to test and quarantine those infected.
Critics have cast doubt on the numbers, accusing authorities of under-
counting by blaming virus-related deaths on other causes.