Russia 's total coronavirus caseload surpassed two million on Thursday as officials registered record increases in new infections and virus-related deaths. The country has witnessed a surge in cases over recent weeks but authorities have stopped short of reintroducing stringent lockdown measures like several European countries. Health officials reported 23,610 new infections Thursday and 463 virus-related deaths, both record highs since the beginning of Russia's outbreak. Total infections stood at 2.02 million -- the fifth-highest caseload in the world -- while deaths reached 34,850 in the country of 145 million. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Monday that 84 percent of the country's hospital beds allocated for coronavirus patients were occupied.

Source: Mint November 19, 2020 10:18 UTC