Russia’s virus deaths surge

Moscow – Russia’s main coronavirus hotspots, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, set new pandemic highs for deaths from the virus yesterday, an official tally showed, as the country battles a deadly third wave.

The new records come as the highly infectious delta variant first identified in India drives a surge of new coronavirus cases that has been worsened by a sluggish vaccination campaign.

The Russian capital yesterday reported 124 deaths from Covid -19 while second city Saint Petersburg reported 110, topping records both cities had set over the weekend.

Moscow, the epicentre of Russia’s outbreak, has rushed to introduce new restrictions to brace against the new wave after life had all but returned to normal for months.

Businesses were ordered to send home 30% of unvaccinated employees, while restaurants are now only authorised to allow inside patrons who have been inoculated, or infected in the previous six months.

Saint Petersburg, meanwhile, has hosted six Euro 2020 matches and is due to host a quarter-final on Friday, with spectator numbers capped at half but still upwards of 26 000 people.

Russia, with 133 893 deaths, has the highest toll from Covid-19 in Europe. –