MOSCOW, Apr 16 (NNN-TASS) – Russia registered a new daily record of 3,388 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 24,490 as of Wednesday, official data showed.
The death toll climbed to 198 from 170 the previous day, while 1,986 people have recovered, including 292 in the last 24 hours, Russia’s COVID-19 response centre said, in a statement.
Moscow, the worst-hit part of the country, has confirmed 1,774 new cases in the last 24 hours, totaling 14,776.
Russia announced its first two COVID-19 cases on Jan 31, with cases increasing significantly since the end of Mar. The total number topped 10,000 on Apr 9, 15,000 on Apr 12 and 20,000 on Tuesday.
A Chinese medical team has been working in Russia since Apr 11 to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
All Russians, except those working for essential institutions and establishments, are on paid leave from Mar 30 till Apr 30, as part of the country’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Retail sales in Russia dropped by more than 35 percent in Apr, from the same period last year, President Vladimir Putin said. This indicates a sharp contraction of the market because of falling demand, which is a great shock for many businesses, he said.
In the first 12 days of Apr, electricity consumption in Russia declined by five percent year on year, showing that enterprises used less of their capacities, Putin said.
The stagnation of lending to the real economy means that, many companies have shelved their investment plans amid the pandemic, he said.– NNN-TASS
