Russia reported nearly 10,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day — it’s biggest spike in infections since the pandemic began.
The 9,623 fresh virus victims logged Saturday bring the country’s total number of cases to more than 124,000, most of which are in Moscow, where the mayor is threatening to reduce travel permits.
Even with the staggering figures, the true rate of infection in the country is believed to be much higher because of a lack of testing. In the far northeast of Russia, 3,000 of 10,000 workers at a vast natural gas field tested positive, according to the Associated Press.
Russia has been in partial lockdown because of COVID-19 since the end of March. Muscovites who have not obtained a special permit for free movement are only able to leave their homes for certain reasons, including shopping, walking their dogs and taking out the garbage.
Moscow’s mayor said officials are considering establishing temporary hospitals at sports complexes and shopping malls to deal with the influx of patients.
Infection cases have reached the highest levels of government. Both the prime minister and the construction minister caught the virus.
COVID-19 has killed more than 238,000 people worldwide, including more than 65,000 in the United States and more than 24,000 each in Italy, Britain, France and Spain, according to Johns Hopkins University. Health experts warn a second wave of infections could hit unless testing is expanded.
