Russia’s daily Covid deaths hit new historical high

Russia’s daily Covid death rate has created a new historical high by passing 1,000 for the first time.

Russia’s daily Covid deaths hit a new historical high of 1,002 deaths linked to COVID-19 today, Saturday, October 16- the highest such figure since the pandemic began. New COVID-19 cases, confirmed in the past 24 hours, also hit a record high at 33,208, the Russian coronavirus task force said.

The country’s coronavirus task force has to date reported more than 7.9 million confirmed cases and 222,315 deaths — the highest death toll in Europe, placing Russia as the fifth hardest-hit nation in the world.

The state statistics agency Rosstat, which also counts deaths where the virus wasn’t considered the main cause, has reported a much higher toll of pandemic deaths — about 418,000 deaths of people with COVID-19 as of August. If that higher number is used, Russia would be the fourth hardest-hit nation in the world, surpassing Mexico.

Kremlin leaders have blamed the rising death toll on Russia’s slow vaccination campaign and have appealed to people to get the shot. Take-up has been slow, with many Russians citing distrust of the authorities and their fear of new medical products.

Despite the rapidly mounting toll, the Kremlin has ruled out a nationwide lockdown, delegating power instead to make decisions on toughening coronavirus restrictions to regional authorities.

Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday with newly-elected Russian lawmakers, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of broad vaccination and urged lawmakers to help encourage the population to get the shots.

“We must patiently and persistently work with people and explain all the advantages of prophylactics against that dangerous disease,” Putin said, noting that the population must be persuaded to get the shots without resorting to administrative pressure.

The soaring infections have raised the pressure on Russia’s health care system, with hospitals filling up quickly. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 12, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said 11% of Russia’s 235,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients are in serious or critical condition.

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