InfoSearched
Published -
- May 13, 2020
- 11:21 am
Russia has confirmed 232,000 cases of coronavirus – the second highest toll in the world after the US.
In the last 24 hours the country has reported 10,899 infections, the tenth consecutive day that number has been above 10,000.
Among the infected is President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, local media report.
He is the latest high profile official to test positive, after Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin caught the illness.
The news comes the day after President Putin eased the country’s lockdown. Factory and construction workers returned to work on Tuesday, though Mr Putin gave regions freedom to set restrictions depending on local circumstances.
How is the Russian healthcare system coping with the increase in hospitalizations, particularly in Moscow where the situation is said to be rapidly deteriorating?
The coronavirus outbreak has affected millions of people worldwide, causing unprecedented disruption to everyday life. The latest news regarding the pandemic is that Russia now has the second-highest virus case total, just behind the United States.
As of May 18, Russia has reported over 290,000 cases of coronavirus, surpassing the number of infections reported in both Spain and Italy. This sudden surge in numbers has put Russia in a precarious position, as it grapples with the challenges of dealing with the pandemic amidst an economic crisis and political turmoil.
The Russian government has been accused of downplaying the severity of the outbreak, with critics alleging that transparency is lacking in the reporting of cases. Despite these allegations, the country has ramped up its testing rate, with over 7 million people having been tested so far for Covid-19.
The spike in cases has lead to an increase in hospitalizations, with many hospitals and medical centers struggling to cope with the influx of patients. The situation is particularly dire in Moscow, where the number of cases has been on the rise for weeks. The city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, has warned that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, stating that the city’s healthcare system is under “maximum strain.”
The Russian government has taken several steps to try and contain the outbreak, including the closure of schools and non-essential businesses, as well as a nationwide quarantine. However, many experts have criticized the government’s response, stating that more needs to be done to support citizens affected by the pandemic.
The economic impact of the outbreak has hit Russia particularly hard, with the country already facing recession prior to the pandemic. The drop in oil prices has further exacerbated the economic crisis, with the country’s financial reserves rapidly depleting. The Russian government has announced a stimulus package, but many doubt whether it will be enough to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.
In conclusion, the increase in coronavirus cases in Russia is a cause for concern, not only for the country but for the world. With the government facing enormous challenges on all fronts, managing the pandemic and its aftermath will require a coordinated effort from all stakeholders. The situation is evolving rapidly, and it remains to be seen whether the government’s response will be sufficient to contain the outbreak and support citizens affected by the pandemic.
