Russia reports 10,899 new coronavirus cases, surpasses UK tally
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Russia on Tuesday reported 10,899 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total past that of Britain to 232,243, the third highest total worldwide.
The number of infections in Russia has been increasing by more than 10,000 a day since May 3, in contrast to countries in western Europe that are taking steps to ease lockdown measures.
Government officials attribute the increase to mass testing and detecting asymptomatic cases not always counted in other countries.
The country’s reported mortality rate remains much lower than in many countries. Officials credit a widespread testing and tracking effort, though critics have cast doubt on the numbers, as Russia uses a different classification method to count the diseased.
The country’s coronavirus response centre said the death toll from the virus rose by 107 people to 2,116. Russia puts the continued daily rise in cases down to widespread testing. It has carried out more than 5.8 million tests.
President Vladimir Putin yesterday announced stay-at-home orders for most workers in Russia would be eased this week despite these worrying numbers.
