Russia hits new record for daily COVID-19 deaths – 973 | Al Jazeera

 Russia hit another record of daily coronavirus deaths on Tuesday as the country struggled with a rapid surge of infections and lagging vaccination rates. Authorities however have been adamant there will be no new national lockdown.

The government coronavirus task force reported 973 coronavirus deaths, the highest daily toll since the start of the pandemic in early 2020. Russia has repeatedly hit record daily death tolls this month, and daily infections also have been hovering near all-time highs with 28,190 new cases reported Tuesday.

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

The soaring infections have raised the pressure on Russia’s healthcare system with hospitals filling up quickly. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said 11 percent of Russia’s 235,000 hospitalised COVID-19 patients were in serious or critical condition.