Russia's coronavirus cases rise by over 10K for 3rd straight day

Russia confirmed 10,102 new coronavirus infections Tuesday, bringing the country’s official number of cases to 155,370.

Russia is now the seventh most-affected country in terms of infections, having surpassed China, Turkey and Iran last week.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin last week confirmed that he has the coronavirus, making him the highest-ranking official in Russia to contract the virus.

Ninety-five people died over the past 24 hours, bringing the total toll to 1,451.

Russia is emerging as a new hotspot for the coronavirus as many countries in western Europe begin steps to ease lockdown measures after their rates of new infections and deaths dropped.

Despite the sharp rise in cases, Russia's official fatality rate has remained low in comparison to countries including Italy, Spain and the United States.

Officials credit quick moves to close the country's borders, as well as widespread testing and tracking of infections, but critics have cast doubts on the numbers.

Authorities have extended a non-working quarantine period until May 11 but have also indicated they could then gradually lift confinement measures which vary from region to region. _Agencies


Dhaka/AKA